A SECOND World War veteran has spoken to primary school pupils about the vital work of the Royal British Legion.
Hector Duff served in the Desert Rats (the 7th Armoured Division) between 1940 and 1945 and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.
He took part in the invasion of Italy, came home to the Isle of Man in 1944 and then, his division re-equipped, landed at Normandy on the afternoon of D-Day, continuing right through France into Germany, where he was when the war ended.
In the weeks and months immediately after the war Mr Duff served on in Germany and took part, with the 7th Armoured Division, in the victory parade in Berlin.
He was demobbed in July 1946 and briefly returned to his career as a railway worker before a distinguished 30-year career with the Isle of Man Constabulary.
Mr Duff spoke to assembled pupils of Scoill Vallajeelt on Monday.
The 220 pupils listened quietly as Mr Duff described how he was away from his wife for four years and how more than 500 Manx men and women lost their lives during World War II.
He said the Royal British Legion was formed after the First World War to honour the memory of war dead but also has a huge role assisting servicemen who are injured and their families even today.
Mr Duff told children: "I lost hundreds and hundreds of friends who I fought with and got to know.
"We must never forget what debt we owe to them. We won't always be here so it's up to you when you get older to take our places and keep up the work of the RBL."
Among many questions the children asked Mr Duff were "Did you get hurt during the war?"(Mr Duff explained he had been injured three times but considered himself lucky) and "How did the British Legion turn into the Royal British Legion?" (Mr Duff said this was down to Her Majesty the Queen giving her patronage).
Scooil Vallajeelt headteacher Adrian Shorthouse said: "It was a privilege to welcome Mr Duff to Vallajeelt and hear what he had to say about his experiences during the war and the work of the Royal British Legion.
"His assembly certainly hit the mark!
"Scoill Vallajeelt will be marking the RBL's anniversary year with a range of curriculum and fundraising events to ensure that members of our school community do not lose sight of the sacrifices made by our brave veterans and that we play our part in helping the charity continue its ongoing work."
Mr Duff's talk took place in the week the Royal British Legion in the Island launched a fundraising year of events to mark the organisation's 90th anniversary.
Primary and secondary schools will be heavily involved in helping the Royal British Legion to mark the milestone.
Veterans will give assemblies and schools will create unique works of art on the theme of the Poppy.
Students will also take part in a poetry competition and will design the poster that will advertise the high point of the celebrations, an 11/11/11 gala concert at the Villa Marina.
Primary pupils will base some of their work on the Tell Me Project around the anniversary.
Meanwhile, students from the five secondary schools will, as usual, participate in the Armed Forces Day parade and service on Sunday, June 26.
Mr Duff is a member of the committee that organises the event.
Education and Children Minister Eddie Teare MHK said: "With the passage of time it is easy to forget the sacrifices that an entire generation made to ensure that we enjoy the freedoms which we take for granted today.
"The launch of the Royal British Legion's 90th anniversary celebrations gives us a good opportunity to reflect and remember the unprecedented costs of fighting for all we hold dear."
