ON the day of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, a D-Day veteran, the great-grandfather of a student at Queen Elizabeth’s School along with the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch, unveiled a commemorative “Tommy” statue at the school as a permanent dedication to servicemen and women, past and present.

Bob Reeves (96), from Exeter, the great-grandfather of Year 10 student Alisha Baker (14), attended the ceremony with other guests, including John Higgs (96), representing the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion.

The “Tommy” Soldier was unveiled during a thoughtful and moving ceremony held at the Western Road campus.

The statue, made by the veterans’ charity Remembered, is a permanent memorial to servicemen and women who fought in the first and second world wars and a reminder of those who continue to represent their country today.

The school fundraised to purchase the Tommy Soldier, part of a nationwide Tommy project which aims to Commemorate, Educate and Heal. Funds raised through the sales of the Tommy figures have contributed to the work of the following charities: The Royal Foundation, Walking With The Wounded, Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, Project Equinox: Housing Veterans and Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.?Crediton Rector, Rev Matthew Tregenza blessed the statue during the ceremony.

Mr Reeves was a serviceman on one of boats that stormed Normandy 75 years ago.

Crediton Air Cadet students, and highly commended students from the school’s recent “Reflect and Remembrance Post-it-Note Art Show”, also attended. ?Teacher-in-charge of the Remembrance project at QE, Sandra Elson, said: “As a school we are very proud to be able to display our very own Tommy Soldier for our students, parents and visitors, as a crucial reminder of those who fought for, and continue to fight for, our country.

“I would like to thank our guests for giving their time to support us at the unveiling and QE’s students for being such fabulous fundraisers, without which, our Tommy would not have come to fruition.”