School’s tribute to world war two victims
In Memory: Staff Sergeant George Cowan, his son Rory, Major Jim Stillie, rector Eric Summers, school captains, vice-captains, members of the Kirriemuir Black Watch Army Cadets and Forfar Squadron ATC with the new plaque. Picture by photosonlocation.co.uk
THE sacrifice made by former pupils of Webster’s High School in the second world war was recognised on Monday with the presentation of a memorial board by representatives from the British Army’s 2 Signal Squadron the Royal Engineers.
Staff Sergeant George Cowan, senior permanent staff instructor and Major Jim Stillie, officer commanding 2 Signal Squadron, presented the board which is inscribed with the names of 24 former pupils who lost their lives in the conflict from 1939 to 1945.
As it was unveiled Webster’s rector Mr Eric Summers explained it had been his hope since taking up his role at the school in 1997 to create some form of war memorial for former pupils who gave their lives.
He said: “Every year on November 11 our sixth year pupils have a service in the library below the Dux boards when we have our minute’s silence. But I always thought it would be good to have our own war memorial for Webster’s former pupils.”
Starting with the victims of the second world war, Mr Summers said he was “astonished” at the number of lives lost from Kirriemuir, given the size of the town. He was “immensely proud” of the memorial board and thanked the Army representatives for their contribution.
It is now hoped more research can be carried out to include the names of those pupils who lost their lives in the first world war with a similar permanent memorial.
In presenting the memorial board, which lists the names of those who lost their lives under the inscription “In dedication to the memory of the pupils of Webster’s High School that gave their lives during the 2nd World War, 1939-45”, Staff Sergeant Cowan, whose son Rory attends Webster’s, said it was an ideal “community engagement” exercise which he held very close to his heart.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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