SEVEN ceramic poppies from the famous display at the Tower of London are now on show at a school to commemorate eight fallen soldiers from Burton.
Paulet High School, in Violet Way, Stapenhill, bought the poppies when they went on sale earlier this year and the school then ran a campaign to find soldiers from Stapenhill who died in the First World War so it could dedicate a poppy to each of them.
Following an impressive response, including e-mails from a family in Canada, the chosen men have been revealed and the poppies are now on display at the school.
Head teacher Ian McArthur said that the display has helped to bring home the realities of the war to many of the pupils.
He said: “We hope that the display will keep the commemorations alive for the next four years.
“It also puts some names and faces to the soldiers who went away and did not come back – which really brings it home to the pupils.
“It feels right that the pupils have a permanent reminder of the war, especially as we live in a time of relative peace.”
One of the poppies represents two brothers who were killed in the war – Chief Stoker Francis Glover, 25, and Private William Glover, 18.
The other chosen men were Corporal Joseph Eaton, 19, Private Jacob Bentley, 34, Private Fred Roley, 34, Private Percival Peach, 25, Private Sydney Watson, 34, and James Webster whose age was unknown when he was killed.
Year 11 pupil Cara Wilson, 16, said that the project had given her the opportunity to show her respect to local soldiers who gave their lives.
She said: “Everyone at school thinks it’s a good idea because when we see it we remember the soldiers and we remember how it has affected our own lives.”
The school is now appealing for anyone with more information about the soldiers to get in touch.
