Fareham pupils brave driving rain in emotional Remembrance serviceÂ

Stoic pupils from Fareham Academy paid their respects on the school's playground as rain lashed down upon them.

The emotional ceremony was one of many taking place at schools across the area to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Children and teachers were joined by veterans, families of current-serving troops and the deputy mayor of Fareham, Councillor Susan Bayford, who all braved the atrocious conditions. 

The ceremony was introduced by the academy's head girl, Charlotte Barber, and was followed by a two-minute silence.

Rajesh Patel, the academy's deputy headteacher, said: '˜The children have been wonderful today, the service was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. We've been doing these memorials for seven years and they're always so respectful. '˜

Oliver Milnes, 15, read a story about a Fareham soldier killed during First World War, before thanking all of the veterans who had come to the ceremony for their military service.

'˜It was a bit nerve-wracking but it felt good to stand up and pay my respects to the veterans,' he said. '˜I just want to say thank you to all of them, and to show them how grateful we are, because we really wouldn't be here without them.' 

War poems were read by Amelia Adams, Emily Brett and Joshua Williams. The ceremony came to an end with a speech by head boy, Thomas Ritchie.

Martin Hulland, one veterans in attendance for the day, made a speech about the importance of Remembrance and praised the pupils for their efforts.

He said: '˜Normally young people have no interest and you notice how disrespectful they can be. Seeing how much effort these pupils have gone to, how polite they are, it shows that they care more than you'd think about remembering these things. They've been taught really well.'