THE death of Harry Patch, the last surviving British veteran of the First World War trenches, struck a resonant chord with all those who believe the horrors of battle should never be forgotten.

Having reached the astonishing age of 111, Mr Patch had decades to reflect on his experiences on the battlefield but remained silent on the subject for most of his life, choosing to speak out only after his 100th birthday.

The veteran once recalled how, while serving in France as an assistant gunner with the Lewis gun section of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Cavalry, he was faced with having to shoot an approaching German soldier - deciding in a split second to disable the attacker by shooting him in the shoulder, leg and ankle, but sparing his life.

A soldier born in Ealing who was put under similar pressure behind a Lewis gun in the First World War was Robert Spall, who was posthumously awarded the highest honour for his heroic actions, the Victoria Cross.

Spall was born on March 5, 1890 but at the age of two, moved with his parents to Winnipeg in Canada, where he joined the 90th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Later he moved to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, where he was made a sergeant.

Sergeant Spall earned the Victoria Cross in Parvillers, France, during an enemy assault on August 12 and 13, 1918, when his platoon became trapped under fire. He took hold of a Lewis gun, shot several of the enemy, and managed to direct his men to safety in a

communications trench before he was killed.

A citation for the medal, which appeared in the London Gazette on October 26, 1918, read: "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice when, during an enemy counter-attack, his platoon was isolated.

"Thereupon Sgt Spall took a Lewis gun and,

standing on the parapet, fired upon the advancing enemy, inflicting very severe casualties.

"He then came down the trench, directing the men into a sap 75 yards from the enemy.

"Picking up another Lewis gun, this gallant NCO again climbed the parapet, and by his fire held up the enemy. It was while holding up the enemy at this point that he was killed.

"Sgt Spall deliberately gave his life to extricate his platoon from a most difficult situation, and it was owing to his bravery that the platoon was saved."

The vital role played by Canadians was acknowledged during victory celebrations in London in May 1919, - as shown in our archive photograph of a woman rushing to give a rose to a Canadian soldier.

OUR appeal for stories about North End Road, Fulham, yielded one fascinating response.

Many thanks to 80-year-old Marjorie Marriner, born in Fulham on New Year's Eve, 1918, who took the trouble to write to the Gazette with a few of her own recollections.

Named Marjorie Martin before her marriage, she tells of her experiences at North End Road School, which she attended from age five to 15.

"It was wonderful for us kids," said Mrs Marriner.

"There used to be an old man outside with his barrow, Mr Martin.

"I think he must have spent all his mornings cutting all the good parts out of his fruit.

"Just after midday, the kids would be lining up for their pieces of fruit to eat on their way home from school.

"Opposite our school was a very large fruit and veg shop, a cake shop, and a sweet shop which sold King George chocolates for 1s10d (about 9p) per lb, and 20 Players cigarettes for 11d (less than 5p).

"While I was at the school, a television shop opened and the first television was in the window for £22. North End Road was very good for shopping. The barrows were so close together and reached from Gaps Corner to Walham Green, just near Eelbrooke Common.

"There was a Picture Palace cinema next door

to the school, where you could see the 'nippies' with their little aprons on, ready to serve afternoon teas. Later on a large Regal cinema opened, which had a rising organ.

"There was a 1d bazaar, Woolworths and Marks and Spencer on one side of road.

"It was very sad to see shop windows smashed during the Blitz. At the end of the road, opposite St John's Church, there was a very nice swimming pool. If you were a good swimmer, you were given a ticket to go in free.

"When I was 15, I won a scholarship to Hammersmith Trade School, in Lime Grove.

"It was a lovely school but no better than North End Road."