BGS pupils on war grave visit

The poignant act of remembrance came during a four-day battlefield tour of Normandy Landing beaches undertaken by the pupils, a number of whom are attached to the school's Combined Cadet Force (CCF).

At the graveside of Royal Marine William Atherton, who is buried at the war cemetery in Ranville, the names of all 46 Bury Grammar School pupils who died in the Second World War were read out.

The Last Post was sounded by pupil and Cadet Corporal Stuart Douthwaite and a minute's silence was observed. A wreath of poppies, complete with a painted school crest, was laid at the graveside by Matthew Gaunt.

Members of the school's CCF were in full uniform and the ceremony was also attended by both Ranville's deputy mayors, Sylvie Lavenant and Yves Bonhomme, and several French war veterans.

Earlier, the Bury Times had supplied the school with a copy of Royal Marine Atherton's photograph and obituary which had appeared in the newspaper following his death.

The soldier, attached to the No. 46 Royal Marine Commandos, had earlier been a member of Bury Grammar's CCF.

He was killed during the Normandy Landings on June 30, 1944. His parents had lived in Bury and Bolton Road, Radcliffe.

Marine Atherton joined the Cadet Corps, in which he held a commission, at the age of 17. Later, he entered the Marines and was called up for service a year later.

Bury Grammar School head of history Mr Mark Hone said: "He was 19-years-old, only a year older than several of the students on the tour.

"This was the school's eighth annual tour of the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars."

Previous trips have taken place to Belgium and Normandy.

Mr Hone explained: "Each one is different and a particular emphasis is given to visiting the graves or memorials of former pupils and relatives of the people on the tour.

"The archives of the Bury Times have proved invaluable in allowing us to research the details of former pupils killed."