Two students from a Tottenham special school will take part in the official century commemorations of the Battle of the Somme.

The pupils and their teachers from Vale Special School in Tottenham will this evening (June 30) attend the national service of commemoration and remembrance at Westminster Abbey, along with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. 

Jhonattan Goncalves, 16, and Zach Opere Onguende, 17, will be among those narrating the story of the battle in the words of those involved 100 years ago.

Each vigil will be the memory of one person – Zach, Jhonattan, and Vale deputy head Tony Millard will narrate the words of Private Will Marshall.

Private Marshall enlisted in 1914, and was wounded at the Somme, spending nine months in hospital.

Mr Millard said: “The Vale School and its students are proud and privileged to mark this historic anniversary. Zach and Jhonattan were extremely moved by the sacrifice made by so many at the battle of the Somme.”

Last year Jhonattan and Zach wrote a musical tribute to soldier Private George Baxter Lowson.  The song My Mate George has been played by the boys live at memorial events, including a concert at Alexandra Palace, and is available on YouTube.