A-level History students have been complimented for their authentic and thoughtful contributions published in the latest issue of the Western Front Association’s Bulletin (WFA).

The students were invited by the Association to write about how they felt after attending last November’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in London.

Student, Akita Begom, wrote about her growing awareness of the contribution made by Asian and African soldiers in the Great War. Akita said: “Reading further taught me that more Indians fought for the British from 1914-18 than the combined troops of New Zealand, Australia, Canada and South Africa.”

Jabit Ahmed said: “I was mainly thinking about the young soldiers who enlisted into the army when they were younger than me. This made me feel truly lucky and blessed to be able to live a normal life without having to worry about if I will live the next day or if I would have to move somewhere else due to my house being destroyed.”

Fellow student Jamie Middleditch said: “Remembrance is a chance for people to remember their loved ones and commemorates the courage of fallen soldiers like Walter Gillings, our own former pupil as well as a son of one of our teachers, who fought in the First World War and sadly died during the Battle of Passchendaele 1917.”

Danny Andrews said: “I think remembrance will always be really important for as long as wars are still fought and people continue to sacrifice their lives for others: to forget selfless, heroic people would betray their kindness and bravery.”

In response, Education Trustee for the WFA, Ms Wilson described pupils’ comments as “thoughtful, individual and insightful”.

Their contributions can be read in full here: https://bit.ly/36HV1A7

WFA website:  https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/