A display of 196 ceramic poppies is now on show at Hampton School to honour former pupils who died in the First and Second World Wars.

The handmade poppies, created by First Year pupils during their art lessons, are arranged around the School’s historic Mulberry Tree –  itself planted at the outset of World War Two. Each poppy represents one of the 196 Hamptonians named on the School’s Honour Roll.

The installation marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two and draws inspiration from the iconic Tower of London’s Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red exhibition.

Head of Art, Mrs Karen Williams, said the project is ‘a moving tribute to the Hamptonians who gave their lives in the wars, and a way for current pupils to connect with the School’s history’.

Alongside the poppy installation, an exhibition illustrating the role of Hampton School during the two world wars is now on display in the School’s museum area. School Archivist, Miss Rachel Munday, believes that ‘through connecting real stories, artefacts, and experiences, we hope this project will deepen our pupils’ understanding of the conflicts in a tangible and meaningful way.

Take a look at some of the images below which appear in the School’s museum:

Aerial image of the new School site on Hanworth Road that was opened in September 1939.  The drive towards the School entrance was lined with air raid shelters. The outside air raid shelters could hold 375 boys and staff.

Members of the Allotment Club working hard to help to contribute towards to the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign that was established in 1941 by the British Ministry of Agriculture.

A Hamptonian (unfortunately unknown) donated a genuine poppy that was taken from Flanders Field. Carefully pressed and preserved within paper, this rare and treasured artefact acts as a reminder of the sacrifice of all those who have served in conflict.

Dennis (‘Digger’) G. King, who was School Captain 1939-40, died 6 December 1942 whilst onboard the SS Ceramic. In his memory, his parents presented the School with the ‘Dennis King Memorial Cup’ which is awarded annually for acts of selfless service.

In central London on VE day, Mr David G. Franklin OH (1942), captured a series of images of the celebrations. His generous donation of his prized photograph albums to the School Archive, provides not only an invaluable insight into this historic event, but also life in and around Hampton during the conflict.

When the School relocated to its current site on Hanworth Road in 1939, the iconic Mulberry tree was relocated from the Headmaster’s Garden at Upper Sunbury Road, to its current position, within the Cloisters. After transplanting it, Mr Mason commented that ‘Given freedom from drastic damage there is no reason why it should not live to see Hampton Grammar School three centuries older than it now is.’

Other stories:

Click here to see our World War Two trail and click here to read some of remarkable accounts our families’ relatives affected by the Second World War.