Pupils at Dunoon Grammar School have been celebrating news that a short film telling the story of a former pupil has been selected as finalist for Poppy Scotland’s Moving Stories competition.

The pupils now need your vote!

The film tells the tragic story of former Dunoon Grammar pupil Walter Sinclair Smith, who was killed during the iconic Christmas Day Truce of 1914 and is one of four films now subject to a public vote to decide the overall winner of the competition which is being run to mark the 90th anniversary of Poppy Scotland.

Sean McMahon who plays the part of Walter in the school production commented:
“Walter was one of five brothers, four of whom were involved in the Great War. We have tried to get across that Walter and other ex-pupils like him are more than just names engraved on a brass plaque, but real people who found themselves in the most terrible of events. It was amazing that Walter took part in the iconic Christmas truce of 1914, but heartbreaking how he was shot on Christmas Day itself.”

Mr Stewart Shaw, Head Teacher of Dunoon Grammar added
“We are honoured our pupils’ work has been short listed for such a prestigious and worthy award. To received this recognition from Poppy Scotland is fantastic, but we would encourage our school community to get behind the pupils and vote for the film on the Poppy Scotland website.”

Our film can be viewed below and all four films can be viewed and votes cast here
Voting opens at noon on Thursday 19 April and closes on Thursday 17 May 2012