New beer toasts Sunderland war heroes and the Durham Light Infantry

Sunderland-born brewer Kevin Carr has created DLIPA in memory of his two maternal grandfathers, William Pigg and Syd Elliott, who both served with the 1st Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry in the Second World War.

William, originally from Millfield, contracted TB while on active service in the Middle East and died a year after the conflict ended at the age of 29.

His army pal, Syd, kept in touch with William’s family and eventually married his widow, Elizabeth, with the couple living in Grindon for many years.

Dr Carr, 51, a former Monkwearmouth School pupil and University of Sunderland student, has now created DLIPA in his part-time role as head brewer for the Barnard Castle Brewing Company.

The beer is also dedicated to the DLI Association after its members visited Syd to mark his 100th birthday at Falstone Manor Care Home, in Sunderland, shortly before his death in 2018.

Dr Carr, who lives in Richmond and is the environmental health team leader with Richmondshire District Council, said: “Durham Light Infantry Association members brought so much pleasure to my grandpa in his final year.

“During his 100th birthday celebration at Falstone Manor Care Home, he was quite overcome by the attention he received from both the staff and the DLI Association.

“He was particularly moved when they presented him with the statue of the DLI infantryman, which is a copy of the one in Durham Market Place.”

The DLIPA bottle label incorporates the DLI’s regimental cap badge in gold and is mainly green and red to reflect the regimental colours.

Dr Carr, son of William’s daughter, Eileen Carr, 76, who lives in Fulwell with husband, Ernest, 79, added: “DLIPA is a tribute to William and Syd and the thousands of other young men and women who either served with the DLI or lost loved ones who did and also to the DLI Association who brought so much joy to Syd on his 100th birthday.”

Syd and Elizabeth’s daughter, Moira Darke, 68, lives in Roker with husband Keith.

Bottles of the 4.8% India Pale Ale can be delivered to Wearside addresses by prior arrangement.

Further information is available at www.barnardcastlebrewing.com

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