THE memory of those who gave their lives fighting for their country will live on following a ceremony held to rededicate their memorials.

The old Barrow Grammar School For Boys Memorial boards have been installed in a new home at the town hall.

Along with senior officials at Barrow Borough Council, around 40 former pupils travelled from all over the country to attend.

Mayor Ann Thomson said the unveiling of the memorial boards was a fitting event, both physically and emotionally.

Councillor Thomson said: "It was quite emotional, old Barrovians and school pupils came from far and wide to be there for the chance to appreciate it.

"I thought it was good because the boards, if we had lost them, it would have been a tragedy.

"They look like they belong there, it looks as though the space has been made specially for them. To be there it was quite moving."

A former pupil of the grammar school, and Barrow council's assistant director of community services, Keith Johnson, gave a speech about the boards and the young men whose names are inscribed on them.

The boards had previously been on display in the former Parkview School which had been Barrow Grammar School for Boys.

Another old boy of the former school, Father Manny Gribben, parish priest of Our Lady of Furness, talked about his time at the school.

He also reflected on the sacrifices of the young men of the school who gave their lives during the First and Second World Wars. 

Councillor Frank Cassidy, also a school old boy and councillor for South Walney, said: "Thanks must go to Keith Johnson for his work in rescuing the commemorative plaques and finding a new home for them in the town hall, and to Father Manny Gribben for his thought-provoking words on the day.

"Former pupils came from different parts of the country for the ceremony. It went really well and so did the catch-up afterwards."