Students take hunt for fallen soldier to fields of France
Arthur Harrison, who was from Gerard Road in Rotherham, fought in the Yorkshire Regiment and was only 19 when he was killed in 1918 during conflict in the French town of St Quentin, which is officially twinned with Rotherham.
Records show that Arthur was laid to rest in a cemetery at St Martin’s Church in St Souplet, a 40-minute drive from St Quentin.
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Hide AdRotherham College business and public services students are set to venture over to St Quentin this week, which is known as Armistice Week.
A college spokesman said: “We have linked up with Saint Jean et La Croix College in St Quentin to form a partnership and embark on an exchange programme, which would see students from both countries benefit from a cross-continental relationship.
“On the run-up to the visit, students have been preparing research and have created a world atlas showing the countries of origin of nearly 23 million soldiers that fought together, focusing on the diversity of the allies.
“During their visit, students will recall extracts from journals of soldiers that were stationed there during a gas attack and will deliver a presentation about the impact WW1 had on the town to a number of dignitaries, including the St Quentin Mayor.
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Hide Ad“Each year the residents of St Quentin hold a parade that goes through the town.
“The names of every fallen soldier from the town are read out and wreaths and poppies are laid at the cenotaph in memory.
“Our students will be paying their own tribute by taking wreaths and wooden crosses to lie on the graves of fallen soldiers.”