KIND-HEARTED pupils at Holly Hall School have vowed to raise £1,600 so a former pupil and fallen Second World War soldier’s name can be added to a nearby church war memorial.

Last month, the congregation of St Augustine’s Church began an appeal for cash after finding the gravestone of Private Archibald Joseph Moore in the graveyard.

Pte Moore, who was in the 2nd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment, was only 22 when he was killed in action in Libya in June 1942.

Church members have since discovered he lived in Malvern Crescent with his parents, Archibald Joseph and Phyllis Hannah and sister Irene, who also tragically died young when she drowned at sea in 1938.

The cenotaph in the church grounds honours the fallen from the Holly Hall and Woodside estates who lost their lives in the Second World War.

After discovering Pte Moore was not included on the list of names, the church vowed to raise the money needed to install Archie’s name on the memorial.

And after reading about the church’s campaign in the News, students and teachers at Holly Hall Mathematics and Computing College decided to raise the cash themselves as Archie would have attended the school.

The pupils have already begun planning fundraising activities, including a talent show, a raffle for a new bike and a guess the name of the teddy competition.

They have even set up a Facebook page to raise awareness of the cause, as well as recording a special podcast on the school website informing visitors of their aims.

The history department staff, led by James Taylor, have researched the background of Archie’s life, as well as contacting the Ministry of Defence for his war records.

Headboy Alex Robottom and senior prefect Matt Wilmot did a live radio interview on BBC Radio WM on March 7 to explain to listeners about the appeal.

Staff also contacted Dudley North MP Ian Austin, who got in touch with the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency asking them to give him all available information about Archie.

Mr Austin MP said: “I wanted to get as much information on Private Moore as possible so we have all the tools we need to get this great local hero’s sacrifice a fitting memorial.”

For further information, visit holly-hall.dudley.gov.uk Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can call the school on 01384 253722.