Peter, In case you have not yet heard, the Event at the Primary School was a Tremendous success yesterday. I will write it up in detail, and send you a hard copy of the Programme. The Teachers and the Children had put in a lot of effort. With their War Time Dresses etc.
It went on from 11.0 am through till 4 O'clock, including a War Time Lunch, served by the Children. Their ages were from 5 yrs up to 11 yrs. They all seemed so Adult and enthusiastic. It was hard to refuse their offer of Food. I must have had about 10 pieces of " Bread Pudding "
and copius Cups of Tea.
We were Interviewd, Video'd, and Photographed, and they were so serious about it all.
Regards for Now, Eric

Green street Green went great. The children were perfect all dressed up in refugee outfits (as you will see), the teachers dressed up, etc. The atmosphere brilliant. I spoke to Desiree yesterday and she said she wouldn't have missed it for the world. Geoff Murray said it was the best event ever. Jim Dorrian was great. I did thank him for coming but I don't think he knew who I was so can you thank him again for me. The members of the Durrant family really enjoyed themselves as well and looked so proud. Everyone gasped at the big framed oiled painting with miniature medals etc when it was unveiled and presented to the school. I will send photo's that we had taken with the veterans in the classrooms. They were also interviewed by the 6th formers. Very professional. Eric Buckmaster was delighted in just about everything going on. He was like the pied piper - he had children following him everywhere as did the rest of the veterans.

Sergeant Thomas Durrant, (VC), went to Green Street Green School, when it was the local Elementary School, and he would have been there until he left at the age of 14 to start Work, like we all did in those days.

The School is now a Primary School, ages from 5 to 11, but they took on the idea with enthusiasm, and put on a lovely Day. The Teachers and Children had all dressed up in the Style of 1939 to 1945. With Hair Scarves, Pinafores, Flat Caps etc. One or two had ATS type Uniforms.

The Children had made themselves the little cardboard ?Gasmask Boxes? with a String attached just as they were then. They were wearing Evacuation Labels with their names on and had made Identity Cards. Some Parents had found them copies of Ration Books.

There are some 400 Boys & Girls at the School, and the classes had a Teacher and Teaching Assistants who all worked together very well. They had a Lovely Orchestra, violins, cellos, trumpets flutes, piccolos, piano & organ etc. They played ?Land of Hope & Glory, God Save the Queen, Hymn?s and Wartime Songs, and sang along with the Music.

The enthusiasm of the Lady Teacher who conducted the Orchestra & Singing was very evident, and the children seemed to love her. She had it all under control.

We were given a War Time Lunch of Sandwiches, Rock Cakes, and various types of other Home made cake. It was very difficult to refuse the food when the Children offered it. I must have had about 10 pieces of Bread Pudding, and tea and coffee continuously.

There were about 20 of us there from the Commando Association, plus members of the Local British Legion, with 2 Standard Bearers, so we had a Service with 2 Padres leading it and the Orchestra for the Hymns.

The Children were detailed off in Groups of 3 to take us individually on a Tour of the School. Each class interviewed us, they took turns to ask their questions, and were so serious about it all. They explained in each Class room what they did, they showed me and demonstrated their ?Smart Board?, also the Individual Plastic Boards on which they can write with a Marker and Rub it off again.

Part way through I was asked to go to be Interviewed & Video?d just as though we were on TV. One 11 year old Girl solemnly explained to me what would happen. They had 2 mounted Video cameras with a team managing each, and one Boy was directing. The young Lady interviewing me took me through such a range of questions. About Evacuation, the Black Out, Peoples feelings, War time food, being in the Army, the War and so on. They had obviously given a lot of thought to it, with variations on each theme.

There were several little Playground events to help entertain us. Above all, the Children?s behaviour and excitement and enthusiasm was infectious. They were so adult & courteous.

When I arrived at the Street where the School is, and was putting on my Beret and Blazer, people in the Street obviously knew what was afoot, and said ? Hope You have a Nice Time at School To-day ?.

To finish off the Day, the Commando Veterans Association awarded 2 Certificates of Merit to the Boy & Girl who had shown the most promise and effort during the Past Year.