Pupils have partnered with Erskine veterans to publish a book to mark VE Day.
Young people from Park Mains High School, alongside members of the veterans charity, have co-authored a project called My Life Through WW2.
The book captures and preserves those who served memories — from the Arctic Convoys and Clydebank Blitz to evacuation, rationing, and life after the war.
It will be professionally printed and distributed to schools across Renfrewshire as an educational resource, and will also be available to the public in limited numbers.
Albert Lamond, a 99-year-old D-Day veteran and an Erskine resident, opened up on the importance of the project.
He said: "It’s vital we teach the younger ones the true cost of freedom.
"We won’t be here forever, but these stories – our memories – must live on. It’s vital we tell these stories now.
"When we’re gone, we’re gone. If young people don’t hear it directly from us, how will they ever really know what happened?
"If this book helps just one young person understand what we went through – what it cost – then it’s worth it.
"We fought so they wouldn’t have to. That’s what matters."
The pupils conducted interviews, transcribed stories, and supported the illustration and research process, working closely with veterans to document their experiences in their own words.
Among the veterans featured in My Life Through WW2 is Captain Bryan Warren.
His lifetime of service included mentoring young cadets and fundraising for fellow veterans, and his stories, captured in the book, offer a moving reflection on service and VE Day.
Bryan detailed what inspired him to get involved with the project.
He said: "The war took so much from so many, but it also taught us the value of small kindnesses.
"I’ll never forget the sailor who gave me a bar of chocolate as a boy. It may seem small, but that moment stayed with me for life.
"Sharing these memories with young people has been an honour and if it helps them understand what we lived through, then it’s been worth every word.
“I’ve always believed in paying that kindness forward. Whether through my time in the cadets, helping veterans return to Dunkirk, or fundraising with my tin, I’ve tried to give back in any way I can.
"This project is another way of doing that — making sure our stories aren’t lost and that the next generation carries them forward with respect and understanding.”
The book explores a wide range of themes, including the brutality of war and the everyday lives of families caught in conflict
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It includes personal reflections from veterans alongside history written by pupils, accompanied by restored photographs and original illustrations.
Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, chief executive of the charity, detailed the impact he hopes the project will have on the younger generation.
He said: "This project is a beautiful example of what can happen when generations come together with curiosity and respect.
"Our veterans have lived through extraordinary times. Giving them the chance to tell their stories and be heard by young people ensures that history is not just remembered but that it’s understood by generations to come."
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