A PRIVATE collector has spoken of his sadness after feeling forced to sell his war memorabilia.

Bernard Truss, 70, from Aveley, sold his extensive collection of weapons and military uniforms dating back to the Second World War, which had been on show at Tilbury Fort for more than 40 years.

The items, including a Hitler Youth drum, a prisoner of war arm band, gas mask, bayonets, medals and camouflage helmets, had been on show at Tilbury Fort for more than 40 years.

Mr Truss told how he returned from holiday in September to a letter from English Heritage - giving him two months to remove the display.

The organisation has decided to return the former officer barracks at the historical site back to their original state for visitors to explore.

With nowhere to store the collection, Mr Truss, turned to Chalkwell Auctions, in Chandlers Way, Southend, for help.

Mr Truss said there was was a lot of interest in his collection at the auction.

He added: "People were very interested in the artillery shells.

"There were one or two items that brought back nice memories, for example the bomb disposal kit. I was surprised at all the interest in the collection.

"I was told that there were some bidders from as far away as Australia. I have not sold at an auction before, so I was not experienced in how the process works.

"I will still keep my interest in wartime items going and I have a few items at home that I will keep. The interest in items like this began when I was a boy in the Fifties.

"When I received the letter from English Heritage asking me to remove my collection from the fort I was shocked and a bit upset. I don't need this sort of aggravation at my age."

Laura Houliston, Senior Curator of Collections and Interiors at English Heritage, said: "The items on display in the Bernard Truss collection of militaria at Tilbury Fort were part of a private collection.

"The collection was displayed in a space which was formerly the officers barracks - we would like to introduce some new interpretation at Tilbury Fort and redress the officers barracks so visitors can see it as it would have appeared in the Victorian period.

"To enable us to progress these plans we offered to return the collection to Mr Truss, however he chose to remove the collection from site personally and we hear that he has decided to sell the items through an auction house.

"We understand some of the objects on display were on loan to Mr Truss personally and we left the return of these objects to their rightful owners with him, as he was best placed to arrange this.”