To mark the first centenary of the War, the Old Sedberghian Club has embarked on a ‘Pilgrimage’ to visit the graves of each of the 257 Sedberghians who died as a result of the conflict.

The graves are spread across 16 countries including several African nations, Iraq and Russia but the Old Sedberghians are undeterred and have already received pledges from those who intend to visit some of the less accessible graves.

A brief biography has been written for each of the casualties collecting together information about their time at school, any civilian career and their military service, these are available together with photographs of most casualties on the Pilgrimage website http://pilgrimage.sedberghschool.org Anyone with a connection to Sedbergh School or its former pupils and staff is very welcome to take part in the Pilgrimage.

‘Pilgrims’ are equipped with the biography for the casualty whose grave they are visiting; a wooden cross, engraved with the school crest and the words ‘Sedbergh Remembers’; a special Prayer of Dedication written by Professor Tom Wright, formerly Bishop of Durham and a small amount of soil from the top of Winder, the fell overlooking Sedbergh School.

It is hoped that ‘pilgrims’ will lay the cross and sprinkle the soil from Winder at the grave of the casualty they visit and read the Prayer of Dedication.

Those wishing to know more about the Pilgrimage should contact Nigel Horsfall on 015396-21290.