On the morning of the 9th November 2018, in a well attended, poignant and moving ceremony, pupils, staff, parents, School Friends, governors and villagers came together to open the 100th Anniversary Memorial Garden in Snettisham Primary School led by Veronica Wilson, Rector of St. Mary’s.

All present heard how the project’s researching of the lives of the 45 fallen had re-discovered the significance of the school in the village’s WW1 history. With the school opening in 1870, 25 of the 45 villagers we lost were ex-pupils and several others had younger brothers and sisters in it when they died.

We were very pleased to have representatives from all 3 branches of our military (Army, Navy and Air Force) in attendance including the Anglian Regiment (the modern variation of the Norfolk Regiment in which many of our 45 served and died).

Wreaths were laid by the oldest and youngest child on behalf of the school and by the combined military guard. Particularly moving was the fact that Cpl Tom Lincoln of the RAF laid this, Tom being the Great Grandson of Charles Lincoln, one of the 45 and an ex-pupil of the school.  Songs were sung by the children and letters read along with an immaculately observed ‘last post’ and silence – potentially challenging when the youngest pupils were just 4.

After the opening our military spent time informally in the classes with the children hearing about the letters they had written, answering questions and handing out stickers provided by Scotty’s little Soldiers to the pupil’s delight.

This event was heard Live on BBC Radio Norfolk’s Breakfast Show and was repeated during the course of the day.