Last updated 22:29, Thursday, 06 November 2008

A HISTORY exhibition in Maryport saw old soldier Ernie Nichol remember his service in World War Two.

Mr Nichol, 83, of the Dales residential home, Ellenborough, took part in the Normandy landings, saw a friend from Maryport die beside him and received injuries that left him walking with sticks for the rest of his life.

Ernie and his wife, Barbara, returned to Normandy for the 50th anniversary of the landings where they met the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

He was one of dozens of residents and visitors who saw the exhibition at the home last weekend.

It included research by the Family Tree Project, which delved into the histories of some of the best-known families in the area.

Dales owner Graham Iredale said: “One of the discoveries we have made is how far reaching the Nixons are. They are part of almost every family in the village,” he said.

Family trees were fleshed out with photographs and memorabilia.

Mr Iredale added: “We had a woman who came in to browse and found a picture of her father as a young man. That was emotional for her.”

John Cook, Lord of the Workington Manor, visited because of his interest in the Christians and Curwens of Ewanrigg Hall, Maryport.

Exhibition organiser Judy Rochester said the project had aroused interest in local history and some families had been traced back 300 years.

She added: “We will continue our research while there is interest.”

The exhibition last weekend included a pie and pea supper which raised £275 for Breast Cancer Research.