March couple put out call for Roll of Honour plaque
A search has begun to find relatives of former school pupils whose names will be marked on commemorative plaque.
Last week, Peter and Gena Jackman put out an appeal to raise funds to be put towards a Roll of Honour plaque, which is to be placed in the hall at Neale Wade Academy, in memory of the ‘Hereward Old Boys’ who gave their lives in World War II.
To the couple’s amazement, their target was reached in the space of a day - and now that the plaque has been ordered they hope that they can make contact with relatives of the men who are to be remembered.
Mr Jackman said: “I wanted to organise the plaque because I’m one of the few people left from the generation who remember some of the lads so it is very relevant to me.
“I was nine when World War II started and it’s a time I can clearly remember.
“I was brought up with them - one of the lads who died was my next door neighbour so it’s very personal to me.”
It is hoped that an unveiling of the commemorative plaque will take place on VJ Day on August 15 and that any relatives who come forward will be able to attend.
Mr Jackman added: “It would be lovely to have some descendants there on the day.
“If anyone recognises any of the names they can get in touch with me.
“I think it will be nice to have the plaque in Neale-Wade Academy in the memory of the Hereward boys as there is already one there for the March Grammar School old boys - both schools merged together.”
The names which will be listed on the plaque are;
l G W Band
l Kenneth Raymond Bedford
l Sidney Bedford
l Eric Boon
l Edward Butcher
l Kenneth William Butler
l Arthur Courts
l Kenneth George Cram
l Herbert Thomas Dixon
l Richard Griffiths
l Charles Harold Hills
l Bernard Charles Long
l Edward Thomas Money
l Ernest William Munden
l George Joseph Prior
l George Ernest Sharpe
l Jack Welham
l Herbert Wells
l Ronald Maxwell Phythian
Any relatives wishing to make contact with Mr and Mrs Jackman can do so by emailing Georgina.jackman@sky.com.
This April would also have seen The Neale Wade Association meet for their 101st reunion.
This is is an association for former students of March Grammar School and Neale-Wade School.
The association is remaining hopeful that they will be able to hold the reunion at some point this year.
Chairman John Phythian said: “We have to do something as we can’t imagine missing a reunion for the first time in over 100 years.
“We will hold an event on some level, but it’s very difficult to predict what or when.”
