PUPILS at one of Warrington’s oldest schools won a respectable memorial prize after discovering the institution’s only fallen soldier from the First World War.

Students at St Wilfrid’s Primary School in Grappenhall carried out seven weeks of research to find their treasured fallen soldier, Thomas Fairhurst, born in 1892 who died fighting in 1916.

And the school were awarded one of the winning prizes from the Western Front (WFA) ‘Malcolm Doolin Memorial award’ for local research into the Great War.

The WFA ran a 12-month competition with many schools’ providing creative entries, but St Wilfrid’s came out on top winning the shared first prize of £500.

Some of the year six students involved in the project were also invited on a trip to London to witness the Western Front Association Parade on Friday, November 11.Warrington Guardian: Daisy Thomas and George Roberts were given the honour of laying reefs at the parade.Daisy Thomas and George Roberts were given the honour of laying reefs at the parade. (Image: Newsquest)

Local historian, Chris Bent who was there to witness the day’s events said: “What a day it was. I was so proud of the children who respected the occasion beautifully. It is clear that the message of Remembrance is a powerful and emotional one for them.

“The children won the competition whilst they were in year six at St Wilfrid’s in Grappenhall but their current school, Lymm High School, supported the children in allowing them the Friday off to attend the ceremony.

“The six children chosen for the event had their names pulled out of a hat at a presentation night at St Wilfrid’s.

“They were Delilah Wilson, George Roberts, William Anderson, Edward Nicholls, Sophia Bernstein & Daisy Thomas. The wreath layers were Daisy and George.”

After witnessing the Remembrance parade the children were invited over to the Wellington Barracks by Major Robbie Wilmont of the Irish Guards.

To round off the day the group were given a tour around the houses of parliament to see where all the magic happens, by James Parker, Parliamentary Assistant to Andy Carter.Warrington Guardian: The pupils were then shown around the Houses of Parliament after the parade.The pupils were then shown around the Houses of Parliament after the parade. (Image: Newsquest)

The winning entry for the competition was chosen by WFA based on the ‘thoroughness’ of the project. The year six pupils involved in unravelling the story of Thomas Fairhurst managed to uproot several impressive documents including his surviving service record and a battalion’s war diary.

A service was held for the fallen soldier last year in St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, on Tuesday, November 16 – the church was ‘packed’ with members of the community who came to pay their respect.

The school also created a song in memory of Thomas using words from his headstone and the input of pupils and local historian, Chris, went to visit the actual grave of the solider.

The Education Trustee of the WFA made the following comments about the St Wilfrid’s project:

“Judges liked the thoroughness of the project - how much had been unpicked despite the passing of 100 years.

“They were very impressed by the church service and the range of activities which the children had been engaged in. They were thrilled at the involvement of the community - the present residents of the home and not just finding but involving descendants. They also liked the children's thoughts about how this relates to their own lives and families and hopes for the future.”

MP Andy Carter congratulated the school for their achievement and hard work throughout the project.Warrington Guardian: St Wilfrid's won the 'Malcolm Doolin Memorial award’ presented by the WFA for their research into the schools fallen soldier, Thomas Fairhurst.St Wilfrid's won the 'Malcolm Doolin Memorial award’ presented by the WFA for their research into the schools fallen soldier, Thomas Fairhurst. (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “On my last trip to St Wilfrid’s Primary I was shown some of the research work undertaken by the children into Thomas Fairhurst, his story is really moving and the children who researched this should be so proud of themselves. 

“Being invited to attend the Cenotaph to lay a wreath on Armistice Day is a very moving and humbling experience, and I know everyone in Warrington will want to thank them for representing us all in this important act.

“I’m very pleased the children and their families found time for a tour of Parliament on their trip to London. Everyone was so excited and engaged in learning about the work of the House of Commons and the history of the Palace of Westminster with some great, and I might add, very tough questions asked. We may even have some future MPs in the making.”