During the course of this week, the majority of pupils at the school have taken part in assemblies about remembrance.

Not only is it in support of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, but also as part of their history curriculum, delivering first-hand experience of what war is really about.

Deputy headteacher Sally Arnold said: "During the seven years I've been at the school, we've always had a collection and a week of assemblies about remembrance. For the past three years, Rev Reg Dakin has brought some former soldiers with him.

"Pupils love the first-hand interaction, it's very important for them.

"They have knowledge of contemporary war but not from the World Wars. Sadly, this will not be possible for many years longer.

"To have people who have served in the forces in the Second World War talking to them is very important.

"The children respond very well and are always keen to give money and ask questions."

It is not only in school that pupils are learning about the horrors of war, a group of 37 Year 9 children has just been to Ypres, looking at First World War trenches as part of their history lessons.

Many youngsters are seeking a career in the Armed Forces and want to know more about the Legion, what it does and how it helps both serving and former service personnel and their families.

Rev Dakin said: "We still have our young people being called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice.

"When you're young, you think you are immortal you don't think about wounds and death. We all need to support those in the forces.

"The children at both Diss High School and the junior school have always been very keen to support the Poppy Appeal and are always keen to find out what it's all about.

"I try to impress on them that, although the Poppy Appeal was set up to help soldiers who were maimed or the families of those who died in the Great War, it is still as relevant 90 years on to help service personnel who have been wounded, maimed or their lives destroyed for service to the nation and to look after the families of those personnel who have perished.

"British troops have been asked to serve all over the world to bring peace and rehabilitation to various nations.

"There have been very few periods when British troops have not served somewhere in the world to bring peace. Britain has long been seen as a nation expected to take the lead in peace-keeping roles."

The price for that service has been high with only a single year, 1968, seeing no deaths on active service since the end of the Second World War, 63 years ago.

Rev Dakin was with the 51st Highland Division in the Gordon Highlanders infantry during the Second World War and his sons have served in the RAF and Navy.

He said: "I also served in the Territorial Army both in this country and Canada and was chaplain to the TA.

"Rudyard Kipling's poem Tommy is so apt.