Remembrance Day sees pupils from Sunderland schools remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice

It is over a century since the guns on the Western Front fell silent on November 11, 1918 and the memories of the Great War are now confined to accounts in history books.

With the passage of almost eight decades since the end WWII there is also an ever dwindling number of those who remember the horrors of this conflict.

Lest we forget is a phrase synonymous with Armistice Day and the importance of this message and ensuring that children of today don’t forget the sacrifices of past generations was evident at schools across Sunderland.

At Sandhill View Academy, pupils created a giant cenotaph, modelled on the memorial in London, which was covered in poppies designed by the pupils, with tutor groups taking turns to place their decorative flowers on the model, many of which had personalised messages relating to the horrors of war.

Year 7 pupil Amelia Stockdale, 11, said: “I put a rainbow on my poppy as I think this is a symbol of hope and hopefully how we can learn lessons from the past.”

Year 9 pupil, Connor Henderson added: “I enjoyed creating my poppy as it was the first flower to start growing on the battlefield and is a sign of how things can survive despite what went on. I also think red is a colour which represents the blood of those who lost their lives.”

With poppies being sold around the school, the week leading up to Armistice Day has also seen the pupils taking part in lessons learning about the British Legion and how the money raised though poppy sales is used.

Head of History, Kayleigh Jobes, also delivered assemblies looking at more recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, as well as local heroes such as George Mailing, Sunderland’s only soldier to win the Victoria Cross.

Kayleigh said: “With the return of war in Europe, it’s also really important for children to reflect on the impact of conflicts happening around the world today.”

For a number of pupils with relatives who have served in both conflicts, the commemorations were even more poignant.

Liam Craggs, 14, said: “My great grandfather and great uncle fought in WWII. My grandfather survived but his brother was killed. The sacrifices made by their generation need to be remembered.

"It’s why on my poppy I put the message ‘the real heroes lie here’, which is from the movie Saving Private Ryan.”

Alfie Stephen, 13, added: “I’m really proud my great grandfather fought in WWII. He was 96 when he died and I remember seeing him when I was about five and he still had his helmet from the war.

"It’s very important to remember the sacrifices these people made and it’s also sad to see, with the conflict in Ukraine, that lessons haven’t been learned.”

Pupils at Monkwearmouth Academy got a special visit from former pupil Harry Loraine who is now serving as a flying officer in the Royal Air Force.

Harry, 23, said: “It’s been a very rewarding experience to come back and speak to the pupils. Armistice Day is massive for us. We remember those who have given their lives but it’s also important to think about those who are currently serving who will give their lives in the future.

"There’s only one year since WWII that somebody in the British Armed Forces didn’t die in active service.”

One of those pupils who Harry spoke with after a flag raising ceremony at the school was Year 11 pupil Rean Carter.

Rean, 15, who is also a sea cadet, said: “My great great grandfather fought in WWI and was then a warden in WWII. He was killed dong this job when there was a bomb strike in Hendon.

"It’s very important to remember the sacrifices made as God knows where we would be today if they hadn’t.”

Year 7 pupils took part in a nationwide online Armistice Day assembly which involved 300,000 children from schools across the country. They also made their own commemorative crosses which were placed under a tree in school’s grounds.

Isla Robson, 11, said: “I decorated my cross in poppies as these were the first flowers to return on the battlefields.”

Classmate Caitlin Thompson, 11, added: “It’s very important to remember those people who fought for us.”

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While the school commemorates Armistice Day every year, assistant headteacher Iain Buddle feels the war between Russia and Ukraine has heightened awareness among pupils of the realities of war.

He said: “With war returning to Europe and the coverage on the news, I think remembering those in our Armed Forces and people who’ve died in all conflicts is more relevant than ever.”

Southmoor Academy pupils also took part in an emotional remembrance service as members of the school’s Combined Cadets Force aid wreaths and saluted in front of the board which lists the names of former students who sadly gave their lives during WWII.

Cadet Luke Maven, 17, said: “It is important to show our appreciation and have an opportunity to reflect on those who have given us a chance to have freedoms that we enjoy today. Remembrance provides a time to remember those selfless people.”

The school’s Student Council have also been selling poppies to raise money for the British Legion.

Council member, Frankie Dixon, 11, said: "We should remember all of the soldiers who gave their lives during the many wars. We must never forget them."