EIGHT pupils from Liphook Junior School had a day they will never forget when they got to meet The Queen and Prince Philip in London.
The schoolchildren – aged between nine and 10, all in year five – had litte idea of what was in store when they received an exclusive invitation to participate in the special 90th Canadian Remembrance celebration.
Because of the school's strong links with the Canadian High Commission (CHC), they were the only pupils in the UK invited to the celebrations, which Queen Elizabeth and her husband attended.
Along with eight Canadian children, they read the poem "In Flanders Field" to The Queen, Prince Philip and selected dignitaries. They were then individually introduced to Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The children were accompanied by their parents, Reverend Simon Weeden, teachers Jenny Brown and Lynne Johnson as well as headteacher Clare Williams, who could only reveal the royal presence to her travelling party after they had left Liphook.
Mrs Williams told The Herald: "It was a great honour for the children, their parents and us to be invited and a wonderful celebration to take part in.
"We went to the Canadian High Commission for the afternoon indoor ceremony in the presence of the Queen and Prince Philip, where Lauren Hewett and Harry Walker were asked by the Queen herself to read their own poems to her."
They attended the outdoor celebrations in Trafalgar Square, where thousands of people had gathered, to remember the 68,000 Canadian soldiers, who had fallen during the First World War,
Mrs Williams added: "We were all very proud of the children and how they handled public speaking, meeting Royalty as well as other dignitaries and some veterans.
"They did us and the school proud."
Harry Walker told The Herald: "It was the most fantastic day of my life. The Queen is really wonderful and after Lauren had read out her poem, she asked me personally to read out mine as well.
"We joined everyone in Trafalgar Square, which was an an amazing celebration and were given some great presents from the Canadian High Commission to take home."
Every June, the school celebrates Canada Day with an annual pilgrimage to the graves of Canadian soldiers from both World Wars, who are buried at St. Mary's Church, Bramshott.
The children read their poems, followed by a service in the presence of Canadian veterans and a representative from the CHC.
Harry's poem which was read to the Queen is:
Remember me from where I came across the ocean and far away.
Remember me for what I did across the sea in France.
Remember me for lying down upon the hospital bed so white.
Remember me lying still under a blanket of red and white.
Remember me for being carried gently by my comrades.
Remember me for being lowered down into my permanent bed.
Remember me for fighting and risking my life for you.
Remember me for my courage and bravery. God took him – too good to forget.
Lauren Hewett's poem read:
This is the man who kept us alive, who saved us from he plunging darkness.
Yet here we are in this exquisite world, he who shall now rest in peace.
This is the man who kept us alive, who let our hearts keep pumping.
In time with the swaying flowers, he who should be proud.
This is the man who kept us alive, who was courageous and bold and stood up for what was right, he who also had a family and didn't want to die.
This is the man who kept us alive, who came from Canada to help us, he who shall not be forgotten.