A TRIP to France was the catalyst for pupils of Alec Reed Academy to pay their respects to Northolt men who lost their lives in World War One.
Years 10 and 11 pupils laid wreaths at the graves of Alfred Anstead and William Harris, who were 29 and 19 at the time of their deaths. Harris was tragically killed just months before the war’s end.
Teacher Sean Pollard said the children were moved and upset by the experience.
He said: “The fact I was able to give the addresses of the men and that they came from the same place as the children had quite an impact on them.”
Anstead was executed for desertion as his regiment approached the Somme but was one of 300 pardoned in 2006.
The students also laid a wreath at the Arras Memorial where there is a plaque to Richard Pemberton Innes, whose family owned Innes Manor. His body was never found.
Alec Reed Academy is in Bengarth Road, Northolt.
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