KING Edward’s School, Witley’s World War One memorial has been restored to its former glory – 95 years after it was first erected.

In memory of the 94 former pupils and staff who died in the Great War between 1914 and 1919, the monument was originally commissioned by the school’s old boys’ association (now called the Old Witleians or Old Wits). It was first unveiled at a special ceremony on September 11, 1920.

Renovation work was commissioned and jointly funded by the Old Witleians, boosted through fundraising by the school’s development office and with the help of a grant from the War Memorials Trust to mark UK-wide centenary commemorations of WWI.

Stonemasons from London-based Stone Edge Conservation used centuries-old stone carving techniques to clean and recut some of the lettering on the freestanding monument. Crafted entirely from Portland stone, it incorporates the Rose of England and the oak as well as the school crest.

The memorial is a local landmark and residents will be familiar with it as they drive past the front of the school on the Petworth Road.

It carries the following inscriptions: “This memorial is erected in affectionate remembrance by old boys of the school and their friends” and “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”.

Headmaster John Attwater said: “This has been a great effort by the whole King Edward’s community to conserve this memorial for the next 100 years and beyond.

“It’s an important part of the school’s rich heritage for all of us to pay our respects and honour those who lost their lives as well as to remember those who continue to risk their lives in times of conflict and in peacekeeping roles. By commemorating lives lost in the Great War we get a better sense of our own part in history and the sense of duty and service of Witleians through the ages which we hope will continue into the future.”

School development manager Emma Harrison added: “Thanks to the generosity of donors, further repointing work to the memorial, approved by the War Memorials Trust, is planned for this autumn and a special Remembrance Service and whole school eucharist will be held at the school on November 11.”

The names of those lost in both World War I and also World War II are listed in a Book of Remembrance in the school’s chapel.