‘We will ensure that Private Rowe is never forgotten and his picture

A SCHOOL has honoured a former pupil killed in the Great War.

Youngsters from Great Wood Primary School in Tean visited JCB for a poignant lesson about a long-forgotten pupil who served his country with distinction in the Great War.

JCB has given employees the opportunity to pay tribute to their relatives who served in WW1 with the unveiling of 40ft x 25ft roll of honour bearing their pictures and names.

Among the 50 brave men honoured on the montage was a former pupil of the school.

Private Arthur Rowe attended the school more than 120 years ago and died in France in 1917 at the age of 34. He was injured on the battlefield and lay there for three days before being rescued and taken to a field hospital where he later died.

During the visit to JCB’S World HQ pupils heard the story of the brave soldier’s army service from two of his descendants – his great-grandson Dave Atkinson and his great-great grandson Jack Atkinson, who both work at JCB. Jack and Dave presented headteacher, Ben Adamson, with a framed photo of Private Rowe to ensure his memory lives on at the school.

The presentation came just days before Dave and Jack went to Ypres in Belgium where they spent Sunday, November 11 – the actual centenary of the signing of the Armistice – paying tribute to their brave ancestor at a special Menin Gate commemoration.

Jack, said: “I am 27-years-old and it is essential that the younger generation keeps these stories alive. I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to tell Private Rowe’s tale to pupils at his former school because it means he is not forgotten.”

Dave of Fulford, near Blythe Bridge added: “It was only when we were researching my great-grandfather’s story that we discovered he had gone to Great Wood Primary School.