HIGH SPEN HEROES

That this House congratulates the people of High Spen on the recent unveiling of the memorial celebrating the lives of Private Thomas Young VC and Lance Corporal William Dobson VC, who between them saved 10 lives during the First World War; acknowledges the hard work of the staff and pupils of High Spen Primary School, The High Spen Community Association, as well as all of the individuals, groups and local businesses who contributed to the project; recognises the special contribution of the sculptress Felicity Watts, and the landscapers Mark and Tony Walker, in taking the ideas of the community and making them into a stunning visual tribute; thanks the Heritage Lottery Fund for its support; is appreciative of the contribution made by the regiments and other branches of the services who paraded at the unveiling ceremony; is reminded of the unbroken link of service to the nation that generations of men and women have given; hopes that the recognition of these two brave men who came forward from a small North Eastern mining village and unselfishly risked their lives to save the lives of their comrades serves as a reminder to all of the truly heroic nature of mankind in desperate times and situations; and hopes the memorial plays a part in helping future generations to understand the nature of war and learn the lessons therefrom.