War hero Hector Duff has presented Ramsey Grammar School student Lola Tebay, with the Hector Duff Spirit of Normandy Trophy, awarded to the ’outstanding historian’.
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As the school’s prizegiving ceremony coincides with Mr Duff’s 101st birthday today (Thursday), it was arranged for Lola, aged 15, to meet him at his house in Onchan and be presented with her trophy early.
They enjoyed tea and cakes and along with her mother, Louise Tebay, head teacher of RGS Annette Baker and history teacher Andrew Wilkinson.
Lola won her prize for consistent performance in history lessons and especially for her essay, which she wrote during lockdown, on Lady Lucy Houston, who contributed to the development of the Supermarine Spitfire.
Mr Duff, who is a veteran of the Normandy landings, the Allied invasion of Italy and the North Africa campaign during the Second World War, said Lola had produced a wonderful essay.