The ‘Peace Medal’ was given to Beeston Hall School by ex-Gresham’s Headmaster, Mr Antony Clark, who had been given one by an Old Greshamian, Captain Hugh Lock R.E. Captain Lock was so disillusioned by the pointlessness of war he decided to melt down his medals and had them struck as ‘Peace Medals’, with an inscription on the back saying, ‘Make Peace Indestructible’. Three Peace Medals were made, one of which was given to Beeston. The children are encouraged to enter the competition by producing work linked to the theme of peace in the world.

With a record thirty five entries this year the winning entry was a beautifully poignant poem written by Alexandra Wallitt, in Year 8.

Killed in Action

The cannons sound
A man is shot, trampled in the first line.
He doesn’t give up.
He tries to get up. He falls; a patch of crimson begins to spread on his khaki shirt.
Blue grey smoke falls with him.
The light in his eyes dim.
His last word dies on his lips; peace.
Faraway, at home,
A young wife waits patiently, a red poppy held in her pale hands.
A loud knock at the door.
“I’m sorry”. A sergeant’s voice.
Three fateful words.
Killed in Action.