Ripon Grammar School pupils recreate picture taken before First World War

Cricketers from Ripon Grammar School in North Yorkshire got together in a poignant still almost identical to a black and white photograph taken in 1913.

Months before the First World War broke out, thirteen of the school's cricket team were pictured along with the headmaster and sports masters dressed in their relatively unchanged kit.

A the time of the picture, Ripon Grammar School had around 90 pupils from across the country but suffered a monumental loss as 49 students and teachers were killed after going into battle.

Frederick Edmund Southwell, back row fifth from left, John Stanley Morton, back row, second from right, John Edward Tilston, second row second from left, James Leslie Jameson, second row, third from left, and Samuel Francis Cartwright, second row far right

In the original photograph five of the grammar school's students, Frederick Edmund Southwell, 27, John Stanley Morton, 22, John Edward Tilston, 20, James Leslie Jameson, 20, and Samuel Francis Cartwright, 22, were five of the 49 people killed in conflict.

Paying tribute and participating in the recreation sixteen-year-old Oscar Lees from Ripon said: "These boys who went off to fight were around the same age as us.

"They were very brave. It’s so important to remember them, which is what we are doing with this photograph.”

Ben Rickard also from Ripon said: "It was a moment for reflection on how lucky we are today and how many great opportunities we have thanks to the sacrifice of these young men and boys.”

Adam Milner, 31, director of Sport at Ripon Grammar School described the scene as "harrowing" and said: “These students are fortunate enough to be considering university and career options as well as hopefully a bright sporting future.

"Standing on the very same spot as they did at Ripon Grammar School makes you realise and appreciate just what a huge sacrifice a whole generation of young men made for us.”