The hard work of primary school pupils has helped to ensure that the sacrifice made by soldiers from their village 100 years ago is not forgotten.
Thornton Memorial is one of 50 war memorials across the country which have been listed today by Historic England to mark Armistice Day.
This has happened thanks to the efforts of nine and ten-year-old children, in year five, from Thornton Primary School, who researched the memorial and put it forward for listing through Historic England’s Schools Initiative.
The pupils at the Bradford Council school discovered that their village's memorial was unveiled in an impressive ceremony in the presence of thousands of people in 1922.
It is made of Yorkshire stone and has a bronze figure of victory and peace with its head bowed holding wreaths outward in each hand.
Thornton Primary School teacher Bethany Webster said: "This project has allowed the children at Thornton Primary to not only develop a range different skills but has also taught them a new appreciation and respect for their local history. It has been an engaging and exciting experience that has enthused the children."
"The children were thrilled to learn the news that their memorial was being listed and were very proud that the successful application was all down to the big part they had played with their school project."
Today pupils and staff will be holding a service at the school and some of the children will also be attending a Remembrance Sunday service at Bradford's Cenotaph.
Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “It is good to see that pupils from Thornton Primary have not only been learning about their area’s local history through this project but also that their hard work and enthusiasm has resulted in Thornton's Memorial being listed which will ensure it is preserved as a reminder to future generations of the sacrifice made by soldiers from their village.”
A year five pupil at the school said: "I had no idea before what it was even though you can see it standing so high from the road. Now when I walk past I will always look and think about what it means. It feels really good to think that our school (and me) will have helped to make sure the men on the memorial are never forgotten and it is protected for everyone in the future.’’
Julie Edwards, Historic England's local heritage education manager, said: “Being involved with a listing application for their local war memorial enabled children in Thornton to learn about national heritage protection while creating a fantastic opportunity to do something which was meaningful both to them and the community in which they live."
"It was very rewarding to see how the children became so quickly enthused and concerned about protecting their war memorial after they had visited it and learned more about why and how it came to be there."
"At the same time finding out about local soldiers made the war more real and more relevant and it gave them a better understanding of the sacrifices people made at the time and why it is important to learn about and remember the men through memorials like the one in Thornton.’’
Historic England has listed 50 war memorials today as part of a pledge to protect 2,500 memorials by 2018, marking the centenary of the end of the First World War.
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