Small crosses, young hands, lasting memories in County Durham

06 November 2026

A red rose. A handwritten message. A small wooden cross. Sometimes the simplest gestures say the most.

Pupils from St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Coundon have paid a moving tribute to local servicemen, placing roses and remembrance crosses on 16 war graves ahead of Remembrance Day.

The children took part in a special initiative supported by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and led by SSAFA Durham volunteers Mike Donne and Ruth Wright, inspired by a Dutch tradition in which schoolchildren adopt war graves to ensure those who gave their lives are never forgotten.

Rather than simply learning about the First World War in the classroom, the pupils were encouraged to discover the people behind the names on the headstones – ordinary men whose lives, families and futures were changed forever by war.

Among those paying their respects was Mia Hamlyn, nine, who held a red rose and her wooden remembrance cross bearing her own handwritten message of thanks.

Classmate Evie Hedley, ten, carefully placed her cross at a war grave, while Odin Jardin and Samuel McGowan laid roses at the headstone of Driver J. W. Metcalfe of the Royal Field Artillery, who died on 28 November 1918, just weeks after the Armistice.

The children also had the opportunity to learn about the bagpipes from SSAFA volunteer and fellow veteran Ruth Wright, with pupil Theo Sams trying his hand at the instrument.

For Mike and Ruth, both veterans themselves, the project is about making sure Remembrance doesn’t end when the ceremonies are over and the poppies are put away.

Mike said: "I love to see young people in our community form a connection with the soldiers who gave their lives in service. The children in the Netherlands have done this for decades, and it's such a moving example of respect and gratitude."

By encouraging children to take a personal interest in the graves and the stories behind them, they hope to inspire a new generation to become custodians of local history and ensure these servicemen are remembered for years to come.

Sarah Dove, Deputy headteacher at St Joseph's said: “We are extremely grateful for the relationship we have built with Mike and other members of SSAFA. These opportunities bring generations together and help our children understand the importance of remembrance, gratitude and peace.”

One child’s handwritten message thanked a fallen serviceman for helping to make the world a happier place – a simple expression of gratitude spanning more than a century. Small hands, small crosses – but a promise that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.