Veterans to star in students' war film
Second World War veterans from the Black Country are set to feature in a documentary to record their memories.
Second World War veterans from the Black Country are set to feature in a documentary to record their memories.
Organisers from a school in Tipton are now looking for £7,000 of funding to produce the film, which would feature stories of ex-servicemen in some of the most significant campaigns.
A production company has already been lined up to carry out the project and produce an initial run of 100 DVDs, which it is hoped will provide a unique insight into the individual histories of military heroes.
A dozen veterans are expected to be chosen to be interviewed by London-based company Tony Charlesworth Associates.
They will include men who took part in the Normandy landings and fought in campaigns including Arnhem and Burma.
The project is being run by Hilary Brown from Alexandra High School which regularly works with veterans in the area to help pupils learn about their experiences.
Mrs Brown said: "We want to do focused interviews with 12 war veterans to give an engaging and educational viewing and listening experience for audiences of different ages.
"They would do 12 interviews over three days. It is a good way to get a record for future generations and for the children.
"We are just looking to do short interviews that give them the main thrust of what they have been involved with.
"Some of the veterans we work with have wonderful, unique stories.
"The children love to spend time with them. It's a very good experience for both the children and the veterans.
The children get to learn so much about respect and experience of life that they will later come to appreciate."
Earlier this year the school organised coach trips to mark the anniversaries of D-Day and Arnhem and also campaigned for those too frail to travel to the 65th anniversary service at Arromanches to be sent commemorative medals.
A group of 16 Normandy veterans travelled to the service in France but more than 50 who had taken part in the Normandy landings but could not attend.
Anyone interested in helping with funding should call Mrs Brown on 0121 522 5738.
