Armistice 100: Urswick School remembers 62 students who died during First World War

Youngsters at a Hackney school fell silent at 11am on Wednesday to remember the 439 students and teachers who fought during the First World War.

Students read First World War poetry. - Credit: Archant

Urswick School in Paragon Road paid their respects to 62 old boys who were killed in action, as well as teacher Ernest Davis.

The school also organised a peace march through the centre of the borough, stopping at the town hall and St John at Hackney Church to lay wreaths at the war memorial.

It followed a week of learning centred around the First World War for students, who sold Anzac biscuits at break times, took part in a commemorative football match with the exchanging of gifts and read First World War poetry during a service at the school’s museum where the names of the fallen students are listed.

Poppies were also planted in the school’s peace garden.

Executive head Richard Brown said: “We have a rich school history going back nearly 500 years. It is important on occasions such as this to remember the sacrifices of earlier generations.

“At a time of ever rising levels of violent crime, especially involving knives, it is important to consistently promote to young people how important it is to live in peace”.