A MOVING tribute to the 81 Old Boys of Bolton School who lost their lives in World War One.

Their names were read out by boys' division headteacher Philip Britton as sixth form boys and girls planted a poppy, which had formed part of the Tower of London display on the headmaster's lawn as a lasting mark of respect.

The ceremony took place in the same week — 100 years later — that Albert Knowles Wilson lost his life.

He was the first former pupil to die in the conflict, which took the lives of almost one million men from Britain.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment and attached to the Indian Expeditionary Force.

Mr Wilson was killed in action on March 12, 1915 during the first British offensive of the War.

He was involved in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle which cost 11,562 casualties for the gain of just two square kilometres of land.

He died on the first day of the battle aged 25.

Mr Wilson's name, along with the other 80 names of Old Boys who made the ultimate sacrifice, was read out.

A video documenting ceremony www.boltonschool.org/i-am-looking-for/bolton-school-tv/?video=dibrBfbAxuw