Sir, - I refer to your report about the auction of a school desk made by Thompson of Kilburn, near Thirsk (D&S, Sep 5).

I was a pupil in 1947 at Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle, when Mr C S Hall, headmaster, and Mr J Grant, art master, travelled to Thirsk to commission a war memorial in the form of a lectern, table and chair.

These were installed in 1950 and were a daily reminder to the boys of the debt they owed to the courage and devotion of their predecessors.

ALAN SMAILES Mickleton, Barnard Castle.