He worked in a Tottenham rubber factory, but died in one of the bloodiest battles man has ever fought.

Now Private George Baxter Lowson’s remarkable life has been celebrated as part of the Battle of Passchendaele commemorations thanks to two inspired pupils from Vale Special School, Tottenham.

Jhonattan and Zac, who both have cerebral palsy, wrote and produced a rap called My Mate George about the soldier’s ultimate sacrifice.

Private George Baxter Lowson died in the Ypres Salient on August 22 1917, aged 30, but the two boys were given just his name to research.

After visiting their local war memorial, and delving into census records and newspaper reports, the two youngsters discovered that George had lived in the street next to Jhonattan.

The connection was made even more personal when they found his grave amongst 12,000 others at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium.

They were on a school trip as part of the Government-funded First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme.

Jhonattan said: “We saw so many graves and names of fallen soldiers on the tour that we were really sad.

“When we found George’s grave we became very emotional.

“Because he was from Tottenham and lived in the street next to where I live it made us feel that we kind of new him, as if he could have been our mate.”

Jhonattan and Zac’s song took shape on their return to Tottenham.

Subsequently, My Mate George has been transformed into a dance, drama and musical show Haringey Young Musician have performed at venues in Ypres and Ostend.

Performances have also been given to 800 people at Alexandra Palaces, and put to music by the Armed Forces Band at RAF Northolt

Tony Millard, deputy head teacher at Vale School, said: “What Jhonattan and Zac have achieved with their song is just amazing.

“It’s inspired so many other people not only to think about the human impact of the First World War but also to appreciate what students living with disabilities can achieve for their communities.

“It has been an honour to record the song with today’s armed services and tour My Mate George in the place where he died.

“We hope we have provided a fitting tribute to George.”

Professor Stuart Foster, executive director of the Institute of Education’s First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours programme, added: “The song ‘My Mate George’ is a reflection of the real and personal connections that students make and experience when they visit the First World War battlefields as part of our tours.

“The programme gives students a tangible insight into the lives of those who fought in the war, and leaves them with an appetite to learn more.

“Jhonattan and Zac did an outstanding job of connecting the history of the war to local events and people through this inspirational piece of music.”

UCL’s Institute of Education and school tour operator Equity deliver the First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme.

The programme encourages pupils to uncover personal accounts like George’s to relate experiences to their communities.

The Institute of Education and Equity are offering two pupils and one teacher from all secondary and middle schools in England a free four-day coach tour of the First World War battlefields.

Pupils then work on a project related to their local regiments and communities for legacy.

More than 4,500 teachers and pupils from 1,500 secondary and middle schools have taken part already.

Teachers can apply through the programme website www.centenarybattlefieldtours.org.

To have questions answered about the programme contact the IOE and Equity team on 020 7331 5156 or email ww1enquiries@ucl.ac.uk