Updated: Harrogate primary school student writes heart-warming Remembrance Day letter

A Harrogate primary school pupil’s heart-warming Remembrance Day letter has received hundreds of likes on Facebook
09-11-14 Poppy crosses plated alongside  the  Cenotaph in Harrogate on Remembrance Sunday (GL1003/98t)09-11-14 Poppy crosses plated alongside  the  Cenotaph in Harrogate on Remembrance Sunday (GL1003/98t)
09-11-14 Poppy crosses plated alongside the Cenotaph in Harrogate on Remembrance Sunday (GL1003/98t)

Leah Quayle, an 11-year-old pupil at New Park Primary School, composed the touching letter yesterday (November 11) to commemorate Armistice Day.

The poignant letter, titled ‘I am’ remembers the members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the line of duty.

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Leah’s letter has already received more than 400 likes on social media site ‘Harrogate Grumblers’ with many comments praising the author and the piece of work itself.

Rememberance poem from 11-year-old Leah Quayle (s)Rememberance poem from 11-year-old Leah Quayle (s)
Rememberance poem from 11-year-old Leah Quayle (s)

The letter also has a comment from the school’s head teacher, Andrew Tomlinson, who described it as ‘the most moving piece of writing from someone your age in 30 years’.

Mr Tomlinson also wrote that Leah was a ‘born writer’ and that the letter moved him to tears.

Christine Hemming wrote on the Advertiser’s Facebook page that the letter was ‘excellent piece of prose. This girl will go far I’m sure’.

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Tim Bowden also commented on the photo saying that the letter was ‘deeply moving’ and a ‘fantastic piece of writing’.

Here is a direct transcript from Leah’s letter: “I am the poppies of Flanders Field, swaying in the wind, like red rows of blood where so many fell.

“I am the death and destruction of life, the separation of families. Crying themselves to sleep, the knowing of the unknown.

“I am the letters to an from home, full with joy and happiness knowing you’re ok, but the fear of the future sends a cold heatless chill quivering up the spine.

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“I am the identity of the lost waiting to be found, the remembrance and the relationships of friends that have died.

“I am the mud and the dirt, the wet and the crumbling soil under your feet, on the heels of your boots, on your face and on your hands.

“I am the mud you trample on, bullets are buried within me.

“I am the trust and resilience you take in every step, not giving up for your country, I am strong.

“I am peace.”

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