Pupils past and present gathered to pay their respects to the brave soldiers from the village who gave their lives in the First World War.

Thomas Eaton pupils laid poppies, which were provided by the Royal British Legion, at Wimblington war memorial.

After the service, the school’s Parent Teachers’ Association presented every child with a centenary coin.

As part of their history topic, pupils have researched the 25 soldiers whose names are carved on the memorial.

They studied medal cards, war records and census returns to build a clear picture of each soldier, where he lived, the job he did and who he left behind.

Family trees were created for every soldier, many of whom spent their school days in the same building as today’s pupils.

What they uncovered will be presented at March Library and The Cambridgeshire Archives at County Hall.

Sue Mayern, Year 5/6 teacher, said: “The census returns fascinated the children. They provided them with so much information and by the end of the research the children were referring to these men as real people. They became their soldiers.”