It was uncovered by John Peat and featured his grandfather, Major William Peat, who had also served in the First World War.
The cartoon’s publication prompted reader Bert Travis to get in touch.
He also has a copy of the cartoon – signed by those depicted in it.
Mr Travis’ interest stems from the fact that his father-in-law, Stanley Croft, was an officer in the 17th Battalion of the Durham Home Guard.
However, Mr Travis got to know his future father-in-law – and bride Joan – much earlier in life.
“I was five years older than Joan and I had known her since she was a nipper because Stanley was captain of the local Boys’ Brigade and also the Life Boys.
“I was in the Life Boys and used to have to go up to his house for various things. One time, Joan was in the bath in front of the fire.”
Following the outbreak of war, Mr Croft became a lieutenant in the Home Guard and was the commanding officer of a platoon which won a field firing competition.
Also in the platoon was Arnold Longstaff, of Longstaff’s Pork Butchers, on The Bank, in Barnard Castle.
“It was funny,” says Mr Travis.
“On parade, Stanley was Arnold’s boss, but in the shop where Stanley worked, Arnold was in charge.”
After the war, Mr Croft became well known around Barnard Castle and Startforth as a milkman in a business which continues today, run by Denis Hinchcliffe.
Mr Travis was born in 1928 and brought up in Newgate, Barnard Castle.
Christened Herbert, he acquired the nickname “Tubby” at school – “I don’t know why, I was never fat,” he says. At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, he had just moved down to the town’s “Bottom” School.
“I went there until 1942, when I left aged 14.”
Aged 13, he had started working nights and Saturdays at Hunter’s Grocery, which is now occupied by the Fox and Field outfitters.
On leaving school, Mr Travis worked full time in the shop.
“It was a typical old fashioned shop, selling everything from groceries to cattle feed, hen and pig food and flour and vinegar – everything was sold loose in those days.”
After two years, he moved across the road to the Co-op at the bottom of Hall Street.
In 1946, aged 18, he was called up for national service, serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was introduced to colleagues as Bert and the name has stuck ever since.
Not wanting to return home after his two years were up, he signed on for another five years.
During this time he saw service in Korea.
“I was in Korea in 1951. It was a six week cruise to get out there and the same coming back. It was rough but I survived. I was one of the lucky ones.”
On returning to Barnard Castle in 1953, he and Joan got engaged, marrying later that year.
They moved to Northallerton, where Mr Travis joined a building company.
However, this wasn’t quite the end of his time with the armed services.
As a reservist, he was recalled to duty in 1956 during the Suez crisis.
“I went in August and came back in the December. I only got as far as Malta when it was called off.
“They didn't know what to with us. They pulled into Malta and put us ashore for a month before we came home.”
He returned to Northallerton, where he worked until retirement and has lived ever since. Now a widower, Mr Travis and his wife raised two sons and two daughters. They in turn have provided him with six grandchildren.
He still maintains a keen interest in all that’s going on in Barnard Castle and reckons he’ll be back for another visit sometime in the new year.
Christened Herbert, he acquired the nickname “Tubby” at school – “I don’t know why, I was never fat,” he says. At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, he had just moved down to the town’s “Bottom” School.
“I went there until 1942, when I left aged 14.”
Aged 13, he had started working nights and Saturdays at Hunter’s Grocery, which is now occupied by the Fox and Field outfitters.
On leaving school, Mr Travis worked full time in the shop.
“It was a typical old fashioned shop, selling everything from groceries to cattle feed, hen and pig food and flour and vinegar – everything was sold loose in those days.”
After two years, he moved across the road to the Co-op at the bottom of Hall Street.
In 1946, aged 18, he was called up for national service, serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was introduced to colleagues as Bert and the name has stuck ever since.
Not wanting to return home after his two years were up, he signed on for another five years.
During this time he saw service in Korea.
“I was in Korea in 1951. It was a six week cruise to get out there and the same coming back. It was rough but I survived. I was one of the lucky ones.”
On returning to Barnard Castle in 1953, he and Joan got engaged, marrying later that year.
They moved to Northallerton, where Mr Travis joined a building company.
However, this wasn’t quite the end of his time with the armed services.
As a reservist, he was recalled to duty in 1956 during the Suez crisis.
“I went in August and came back in the December. I only got as far as Malta when it was called off.
“They didn't know what to with us. They pulled into Malta and put us ashore for a month before we came home.”
He returned to Northallerton, where he worked until retirement and has lived ever since. Now a widower, Mr Travis and his wife raised two sons and two daughters. They in turn have provided him with six grandchildren.
He still maintains a keen interest in all that’s going on in Barnard Castle and reckons he’ll be back for another visit sometime in the new year.
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