SCHOOLCHILDREN are embarking on a historic journey to discover more about former pupils and teachers killed in the First World War.

Pupils at King James Academy in Bishop Auckland will travel to Ypres and Ghent in Belgium, London and the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire in their quest to uncover the stories of the 49 men listed on the school’s war memorial.

The youngsters have also begun researching the part their own ancestors played in the 1914-18 conflict, with their studies revealing tales of heroic acts and divided families.

The school hopes to receive just under £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the project, which will also see a memorial garden created behind the new academy building.

An existing memorial stone inscribed with the words “in memory of old boys 1914-1918 1939-45” will be incorporated into the garden.

King James Academy has teamed up with schools in Germany, France and Belgium for the project and pupils are already exchanging letters to share their findings.

They will meet when the youngsters travel to Belgium in October.

The school has also forged links with Durham Light Infantry veterans, some of whom will accompany them on their travels.

Debbie Connell, community manager and international development co-ordinator at King James, who is leading the project with RE teacher John Middleton, said: “The main strand of research will be the names on the war memorial but we want to broaden this to allow the pupils to find out about their own ancestors and the impact the First World War had on our community.”

John-Michael Park, 16, has been learning about his German heritage and the fact his ancestors fought on different sides during the war.

Sixth form student Amy Connell, meanwhile, has discovered the part her grandmother played in the Belgian resistance, helping French, British, French and Dutch soldiers escape German capture.

The family fled Ghent in Belgium in 1917 and travelled by rowing boat to the UK, where they headed for Darlington, the home of the only British person they knew, a sub editor at The Northern Echo.

Amy, who hopes to discover more about the resistance when the group visit Ghent in the autumn, said: “I find it intriguing. It’s important to know where we come from.”

Anyone with information or photographs relevant to the project or who would like to get involved can contact Mrs Connell on 01388-603388 or d.connell100@durhamlearning.net

All findings will be displayed in a special school newspaper and an exhibition.