A Kent photographer is encouraging children to learn about their ancestors through a unique project.

Following on from a World War One centenary album created at Platt Primary School last year, local photographer Scott Wishart returned to the school on the 70th anniversary of VE day to begin creating a new compilation of images.

For the project titled, 'The Greatest Generation', Mr Wishart captured current pupils holding photographs, medals and other memorabilia of their own family members who served their country between 1939 and 1945.

Coined by American broadcaster Tom Brokaw in 1998, ‘The Greatest Generation’ is often used to refer to men and women born in the first quarter of the 20th Century who went on to serve their countries both in the military, and on the home front during WW2.

The purpose of the shoot echoed that of last year’s project in that it was designed to encourage the children to learn about their ancestors participation in the conflict, and help them bridge the gap between themselves and a key period in British history.

As with the WW1 project (which Mr Wishart replicated in late 2014 at Lady Boswell’s C of E Primary School in Sevenoaks) the parents and grandparents of the children made great efforts in digging out old photographs and contacting other family members for further information and items of memorabilia.

At least two pupils were fortunate enough to still have living relatives who fought in the war, and made special visits to learn about their lives and hear a few war stories.

Although in many cases the people in the photographs were ‘new’ to the children, Mr Wishart said all were, without fail, visibly very proud of their antecedents and the various roles they played in the war effort.

The 42-year-old, father-of-three, has worked as a photographer and in the photojournalism industry for twenty years.

His three children attend Platt Primary School and he is also an active member of Platt's war memorial steering group.

He recently gave a talk to the society about his interest in the Great War and a personal WW1 Centenary project he has been working on since 2010.

Headteacher of Platt Primary School, Hannah Walters, said: "We are thrilled to have Scott Wishart lead on this memorable project. The project has helped us promote British values, an area that Ofsted look for schools to cover but more importantly it has meant that our children, staff and families have been remembering and discussing this important historic period. Scott helps us capture memories for future with these projects.

"This is one of many projects that we have completed with our children from reception to year 6 regarding historic wars and the impact of those then and now."

A small sample of images were on display at the Platt Memorial Hall VE Day celebrations on May 9.

To view the full project click here.