Tributes paid to gentle teacher who was a ‘true inspiration’

THE first victim named in the Reading attacks has been identified as James Furlong, a history teacher who was said to “truly inspire” his pupils.

Mr Furlong, 36, was the head of history, government and politics at the Holt School in Wokingham. The school has written to the parents of pupils informing them of his death.

Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce, head teachers at the school, described Mr Furlong as “wonderfully talented and inspirational”. “James was a very kind and gentle man; he had a real sense of duty and cared for each and every one of our students,” they added.

“He truly inspired everyone he taught through his passion for his subject and his dedication.”

The parents of Mr Furlong last night paid tribute to their “beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun” son.

In a statement, Gary and Janet said: “He was the best son, brother, uncle and partner you could wish for. We are thankful for the memories he gave us all. We will never forget him and he will live in our hearts forever.”

Cllr James Box, whose daughter Ellie was taught by Mr Furlong, said he was an “excellent” teacher, who was “very popular” at the school.

The Wokingham Labour Party wrote on Twitter that they were “devastated” to learn the news. “James is known by hundreds of members of our community – students, colleagues, parents,

‘James was very kind and gentle; he had a real sense of duty and cared for each and every one of our students’

friends and members of our party,” they said. “Our thoughts are with them all and particularly his family and the wider Holt family. His loss is a devastating blow. Such terrible, terrible news.”

Last night, a spokesman for the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford confirmed that another victim who was taken to its emergency department had not been admitted to the hospital and was discharged on Saturday night.

Two other people who were killed in the attacks have yet to be identified, while a further three people remained in hospital last night.

Meanwhile, many members of the Reading community changed their profile picture on Facebook to show solidarity with the families and friends of victims.

An image of a white lion, set against a black backdrop with a broken heart beneath it, has been created to represent the statue of the lion that stands in Forbury Gardens, the park where the attacks happened.

Ellie Jenkins, who lives in Reading, adopted the logo as news of the events unfolded. “It absolutely breaks my heart that something so tragic can happen in a beautiful park that I love,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP and chairman of the defence select committee, whose brother Jonathan, also a teacher, was killed in the Bali bombings in 2002, described the attacks as brutal and senseless.

He said: “The initial shock of coming to terms with another terrorist attack is magnified when we put names and stories to those whose lives are brutally cut short.

“Wonderful innocent people such as the teacher James Furlong – whose life was cut short by an extremist believing his violent actions will be rewarded in paradise.

“As with previous senseless and brutal attacks, they are inspired by false understanding of the Islamic faith perpetuated by fanatics who thrive in insecure and poorly governed states.”

Mr Ellwood added: “Until we address this wider challenge the threat of terrorism will continue.”