More than 580 pupils said farewell to their headteacher, who has retired after 10 years in the post.
Howard Williamson, 56, finished his last day at Cann Hall Primary School in Clacton yesterday after a career spanning more than 35 years.
A former head at Harwich County Primary in Dovercourt for six years, Mr Williamson, who lives in Dovercourt, has had to retire due to ill health.
He said: "I'm terribly sad about leaving but everyone has given me the best possible sending-off. "I'm really going to miss it."
As well as a party last week with governors and staff, all of the classes presented him a book of their memories of him.
Now he will be able to pursue another great love in his life.
The keen historian has been collecting war artefacts for 40 years and has written many books on the First World War.
His latest two-volume in-depth book, The Collector's and Researcher's Guide to the Great War, was published six weeks ago and has already sold 2,000 copies.
Published Thursday December 18, 2003
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