Orwell Park School in ipswich has hosted a memorial to those who served in the Desert Rats - who were stationed at the school on the lead up to the D-Day landings.

East Anglian Daily Times: The whole school attended the Desert Rats memorial at Orwell Park Picture: ORWELL PARK SCHOOLThe whole school attended the Desert Rats memorial at Orwell Park Picture: ORWELL PARK SCHOOL (Image: Archant)

The school welcomed Brigadier James Woodham CBE MC, from the late Royal Anglian Regiment, members of the Desert Rats Association and of the 22nd Armoured Brigade of the 7th Armoured Division at a ceremony and lunch on Thursday, May 17.

In 1944, the Desert Rats took advantage of the close proximity of the estate to the Orwell estuary to prepare their waterproof craft for the D-Day landings later that year,

Adrian Brown, headmaster, said: “This year it is the school’s 150th anniversary and the link with the Desert Rats is an important part of the history of Orwell Park.

“The children learnt a great deal from the Brigadier and from speaking to members of the Desert Rats Association who attended.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Pupils got to meet and speak with members from the Desert Rats Association Picture: ORWELL PARK SCHOOLPupils got to meet and speak with members from the Desert Rats Association Picture: ORWELL PARK SCHOOL (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Orwell Park hosted a memorial day for members of the Desert Rats who served in World War Two Picture: ORWELL PARK SCHOOLOrwell Park hosted a memorial day for members of the Desert Rats who served in World War Two Picture: ORWELL PARK SCHOOL (Image: Archant)