I joined past and current pupils and staff at Cowley International College to commemorate those associated with the school who were killed in the First World War.

The event, organised by Rita Allcock, was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Joe and Sylvia Pearson, alongside the principal Cameron Sheeran.

After a welcome from the principal and Rita, the names of those pupils from Cowley whodied were read aloud by current pupils before those in attendance joined in a rendition of Jerusalem and a selection of musical pieces from the past pupils’ band and current pupil Lee Downing.

As well as the commemoration, those attending were presented with a copy of the Cowley School Roll of Honour, ‘Pro Patria 1914-1919’ a compilation put together by James Smethurst, a teacher at the school at the time. The compilation lists all the pupils from the school and the service they gave in the war.

The event was a poignant reminder of the sacrifice made by so many pupils at Cowley, and indeed by so many families across St Helens, during the Great War.