EACH month during school time pupils from Rockwell Green Primary School walk to Wellington Cemetery to lay a posy of flowers on each war grave.

As we approach Remembrance Tide the children lay a wooden cross of Remembrance on each grave. In recognition of this excellent example of how younger people have become involved in the Act of Remembrance, through the Wellington branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), Rockwell Green C of E VC Primary School became the first school in Somerset to affiliate to the RBL.

Further recognition was accorded to the school when Wellington Town councillors agreed that this date in October should become a part of the civic diary and a civic event.

Accompanied by Wellington Mayor Bob Bowrah, RBL county chairman Major Robert Mcdonald, Wellington branch chairman Ray Filler and the RBL Wellington branch standard – on this occasion carried by Taunton’s standard bearer Roger Prince – the children from Tawny Owls and Woodpeckers classes, along with teacher Gemma Hill and class teaching assistants, formed a procession led by the RBL Wellington standard paraded to Wellington Cemetery, where they were met by local councillors, veterans wearing their medals and members and officers of Wellington RBL.

With great care and dignity each child laid a flower and a wooden cross on each war grave, and removed the dead ones which had been laid the previous month, and after a brief moment of silence the children returned to school.

On arrival everyone assembled in the school hall for a refreshing drink and the opportunity was given for the children to ask questions to the veterans.

“The questions asked were both thoughtful and considerate and showed the children’s varied interest in why the school supported doing what we do each month,” said Peter Critchard, of Wellington RBL.

All members of Wellington RBL are grateful to head teacher Morwenna Dunstan for allowing time in the school’s timetable for the children to tend Wellington’s war graves.

They also thank all those who took part on the day and for making time in their busy schedules to support the school’s efforts in remembering those who have given their lives in the service of their country.

Peter Critchard