THIS morning's death of HRH the Prince Philip has prompted many tributes and memories of his years of service to his wife the Queen and the country and Commonwealth.

One of his greatest legacies was the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme which was founded in 1956 and has been patroned by Prince Phillip since - making a huge difference to many generations of Thurrock children.

William Edwards School in Grays has for many years supported one of the largest Duke of Edinburgh chohorts of any school or organisation in the East of England.

Ralph Henderson, former deputy head, who was associated with the school for many years, said the scheme shaped and inspired the lives of so many young people.

"The Duke's legacy includes generations of Thurrock children who have come through this scheme, going back to the headship of Jim McQuibban.

"And it involved so many Thurrock people who came together in sup[port of it, including the late, great Allan Jones - who we lost last year.

"The country owes a great deal of gratitude to Prince Philip for his contribution to so many aspects of our lives. Of course his contribution goes even further back, including his war service.

"He has impacted in so many ways on so many lives and he led a life of extraordinary public duty, always complementary to her majesty the Queen."

The death of Prince Philip, aged 99, was announced at noon today (Friday, 9 April)

The prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen, and was the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

A statement was released by Thurrock Council, which has lowered civic flags.

It reads: "Thurrock Council shares the sentiments of loss and sadness felt across the world following the announcement of the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.

"The Mayor of Thurrock is sending a letter of condolence to Her Majesty The Queen on behalf of the members and officers of Thurrock Council and the residents of Thurrock."

Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Terry Piccolo said: "It is a sad day for the nation and I offer my condolences to the royal family on behalf of our Thurrock family at this difficult time.

"Many of our older residents may remember Prince Philip's visits to our borough in 1960, when he opened the Thurrock Technical College in Little Thurrock and again in 1981 when he accompanied Her Majesty The Queen on a visit to Grays."

During the mourning period, flags will be flown at half-mast at the Civic Offices, Grays and in Tilbury Civic Square.

Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on 10 June 1921.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.