JCB students in poignant poppy tribute

Pictured is Brief. TOUCHING TRIBUTE LAUNCHES 2016 STAFFORDSHIRE POPPY APPEAL  Students at the JCB Academy have created a unique roll of honour for the fallen of the two world wars to launch the 2016 Staffordshire poppy appeal. The youngsters have been researching the heroic exploits of servicemen who died in the two conflicts – many of whom were members of their own families. Now their study has led to the names of the fallen and some who served and survived being honoured in a moving and striking display at the JCB Academy. The names have been laser cut on to red acrylic- shaped poppies and suspended from 35 wires in the Rocester-based school’s reception. Today JCB Chairman Lord Bamford officially opened the display by hanging the final palm-sized poppy on the display to honour his grandfather’s cousin, Captain Oswald Bamford, who died aged 38 in the Battle of Loos more than 101 years ago. On the day he died 15 other Uttoxeter men also perished in the battle. Moments after the opening, poppies fell from two balconies overlooking the reception as JCB Academy student Joe Hey played the Last Post. Lord Bamford said: “The JCB Academy students have created a very moving display. It’s a wonderful tribute to the servicemen who gave their lives for our freedom.” JCB Academy Principal Jim Wade said: “I’m extremely proud of what our students have achieved with this display. It’s important that our young people remember the sacrifices of the past and this wonderfully engineered piece of artwork ensures their memory lives on in a very vibrant way.” The Royal British Legion’s Director of Fundraising Claire Rowcliffe, who attended today’s event said: “The Poppy Appeal 2016 is encouraging the public to recognise the service and sacrifices made across all generations of the British Armed Forces and the JCB Academy students encapsulate this message through a moving and very striking display that acknowledges the sacrifices made by those during both World

JCB Academy students have paid a poignant tribute to those who died in the two world wars.

The youngsters have been researching the heroic exploits of those who served in the conflicts, with the result that the names of the fallen and some who served and survived being honoured in a display at the school.

The names have been laser cut on to red acrylic-shaped poppies and suspended from 35 wires in the Rocester-based academy’s reception.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford officially opened the display by hanging the final poppy on the display to honour his grandfather’s cousin, Captain Oswald Bamford, who died in the Battle of Loos. 

Lord Bamford said, “The JCB Academy students have created a very moving display. It’s a wonderful tribute to the servicemen who gave their lives for our freedom.”

JCB Academy Principal Jim Wade added, “I’m extremely proud of what our students have achieved with this display. It’s important that our young people remember the sacrifices of the past and this wonderfully engineered piece of artwork ensures their memory lives on in a very vibrant way.”