Pupils pay poignant tribute to war heroes

The Head Boys and two pupils from the school council at Somerby Primary School attended the 80th commemoration of the service of the 10th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment at the stone memorial to them at Burrough-on-the-hill. They were invited to lay flowers at the memorial to mark the many losses the Battalion suffered in the Battle of Arnhem in 1944.

Friends of the Tenth (FOTT), the charity which keeps the memory of the Battalion alive, work collaboratively with the school to help bring the history of the village to life, as part of their World War 2 and ‘What is Special about Somerby’ topics. They also donate FOTT logo t-shirts for PE and the school’s uniform colours reflect the colours of the Battalion.

Head teacher, Andrea Brown, commented: “It was a very proud moment for our Head Boy and school council, carrying out their first official duty representing the school, despite the rain, in front of so many people. Their conduct was exemplary.”

Alec Wilson, a member of FOTT, said: “All of us at Friends of the Tenth are very proud of our connection with Somerby Primary School.”

The school’s pupils were taking part in annual commemorations and they were joined by veterans and families of the 10th Battalion.

The ceremony at the memorial was the centrepiece of a programme of activities organised this year at Somerby and Burrough-on-the-hill to mark the service and sacrifices of the 10th Battalion.