STAFF and former pupils of a Halesowen school who fought and died in the First World War have been remembered in a commemorative booklet.

Sixteen names appear on the memorial which was unveiled by Lord Cobham in 1923 at Earls High School and their stories have now been recorded to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities.

Author of the booklet, history teacher Liz Begley said much of the information, including photographs of many of the boys, had come from the school archives and living relatives.

She said: “It was fascinating to research these students whose names we have seen daily on the memorial in the school hall and it was especially rewarding to find school photographs which put faces to many of these names.

“Hopefully, 100 years later, it has made the commemoration of the First World War far more meaningful for our students.”

Many of the Earls’ boys went on to become officers and two, Sidney Foley Case and Percy Wilfred Woodhouse, were killed whilst serving in the newly formed Royal Flying Corps.

Two members of the Grove family lost their lives, including Second Lieutenant Ernest Richard Grove was only 19 when he was killed in Belgium.

The school magazine said: “His was a life full of promise. As a student he was the most successful of all who have attended the school in the last 15 years.”

A cadet corps was set up at Earls and many of its members joined up including one of its officers, popular teacher Captain Robert William Hoare, who was killed leading his company into battle.

Principal Tom Johnston said: 'We think that the opportunity to commemorate students and staff who had their young lives tragically ended in that great conflict is not one to be missed or taken lightly. “We are also seeking to inform students today how young men, little older than they are now, who walked the same corridors, were part of such enormous historical events. “ Head boy Zack Dimmock said: “ It was very sad to see that at least two of the boys killed were also head boys of the Earls. Some of the boys such as Ernest Richard Grove were the same age as me when the war started and ended up losing their lives. "

Pupil Ester Taylor added: “I was interested to find out how girls as well as boys were deeply affected by the war. One, Katheen Murphy, wrote to her teacher Captain Hoare whilst he was in the trenches and he wrote letters back. They were very moving."

Free copies of the booklet are available from the school.