TWO former students of King Edward VI College in Stourbridge whose names were omitted from a college war memorial will be honoured this Remembrance season.
The college in Lower High Street, a former boys’ grammar school, has a memorial commemorating those who lost their lives during the world wars.
But it was recently discovered that two former students James Henry Watkins and John Graham Pearson, who died in the Great War, were not included on the original memorial.
Archivist for the Old Edwardians Society, Kenneth Wright, has been researching information about the young men commemorated on the war memorial and upon discovering the names of the two former students were missing it was decided to ensure they were added and not forgotten.
Now, thanks to the college’s trustees, a new memorial has been created and installed alongside the existing one, ensuring the two forgotten soldiers are commemorated along with all former students who died during the world wars.
Principal Holly Bembridge said: "We honour the sacrifice of all of our former students and staff who died in war, and the remembrance of their lives is an important part of our year.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Kenneth Wright, who has been tenacious in ensuring that these men are not lost to us, and to our trustees who have donated this memorial: it is a fitting tribute to these two brave young men, and we’re looking forward to commemorating them at our Remembrance Day event."
The college is planning a formal unveiling of the new memorial during its Remembrance Day event on November 11.
Ahead of this the college has issued an appeal to try to locate any descendants of James Henry Watkins and John Graham Pearson to invite them to attend the event and pay tribute to their ancestors.
Meanwhile, Mr Wright’s research is set to feature in an upcoming publication documenting the lives and experiences of those who served in the war.
Anyone who is a descendant of James Henry Watkins and John Graham Pearson, or anyone who knows someone who might be related to them, is asked to contact the college by emailing reception@kedst.ac.uk or call 01384 398100.
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