Poignant reminder of academy pupils who died in First World War

perth: Book tribute to school’s 165 pupils who made the ultimate sacrifice almost 100 years ago

A retired Perth Academy teacher has researched and written a book which remembers the 165 pupils who attended the school and who died in the First World War.

In early 2015 a group of pupils at the academy decided to commemorate each soldier from the school’s war memorial, close to 100 years to the day they lost their lives.

The Flowers of the Forest Group have seen this commitment through over the past three years and will be commemorating the last to fall this month.

Retired academy teacher Dave Dykes’s research has added depth to the ceremonies. Every week he would present the young people with more information until a whole book’s worth had been researched, with a page for every one of the fallen.

Mr Dykes even managed to find information about some of those not named on the memorial that had a connection to the school.

He obtained all the information himself by working in archives, making connections with families and contacting people at places where those who died would have worked and lived.

He spoke to their families and offered transport to the ceremonies at the school.

He also travels from Rosyth for the 15 minute ceremonies at the school, of which there can be several a month.

The Perth Academy Parent Council were so impressed with the enterprise they offered to commission three hardbound publications of Mr Dykes’s research.

The parent council presented Mr Dykes with a copy in gratitude for his work and the other copies have been gifted to the school and the Flowers of the Forest Group.

Academy rector Johnny Lothian praised the efforts, saying: “Thanks to the passion, curiosity and tireless efforts of Dave Dykes and the generosity of the parent council, the school now has a detailed and very personal record of each and every individual who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“This gift and its legacy will ensure that many young people will remember for generations to come.

“Dave’s enterprise has also resulted in several new ties being established with the wider Perth Academy community and diaspora.”

This gift and its legacy will ensure thatmany young people will remember for generations tocome

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Perth Academy S3 pupils Heather Beer and Matthew Neil with Willie Coupar, who took along the letter of commendation given to his uncle, Private James Coupar of the 9th Seaforth Highlanders, who was killed at Arras on April 21 1917.