Members of staff say goodbye to Mr Kelly, who will soon be on his travels. Left to right are: Mrs Gilligan, Mrs Kelly, Mr Kelly, Sister Mary Joseph and Miss Pam Hunt.

Most people are content to put their feet up and relax when they retire, but Mr Charlie Kelly is going to travel thousands of miles to bring back memories of his war service. Mr Kelly, whose 30 year teaching career includes 15 years at St Theodore's RC High School and the last four years at St Hilda's RC High School, retired on Friday, 28th April 1978. In September he is starting on his marathon journey into the past, travelling through Greece, Syria, Iraq, Persia and India. Mr Kelly, (60) told the Burnley Express about his journey. He said: "I am going by coach and the journey should take about four or five months. It goes nearly all the places I served at with the Royal Corps of Signals, including the little villages in Persia. I want to take some photographs, because we weren't allowed cameras during the war. Ever since I came out of the forces I have always wanted to go back. I want to record where I went in those day's"

When he comes back Mr Kelly plans to spend much of his time gardening. On Friday afternoon Mr Kelly, of Lomeshaye Road, Nelson, was presented with a pewter mug from the head teacher of St Hilda's, Sister Mary Joseph. His wife, Mary, received a bouquet of flowers from teacher Mrs Elizabeth Gilligan. Mr Kelly has five children, and for two years be worked alongside his daughter, Elizabeth, who like her father taught geography and mathematics at St Hilda's.