Head Prefect Rosie Greatorex (Year 12) reports:
The First World War came to an end one hundred and two years ago on Monday 11th November 1918 at 11:00, after a horrific four years of fighting, and millions of casualties. On Wednesday 11th November 2020, Grace College held their annual Act of Remembrance; a time for us to not only remember those who lost their lives in the Great War of 1914-1918, and the Second World War of 1939-1945, but every soldier who has given their life in conflicts ever since. This was a time for us to take a moment of pause in our busy lives, to remember those who gave their today for our tomorrow.
The service began with a welcome from our Principal, Mr Hall, and was followed by the laying of wreaths by representatives from each House. Our school band played a beautiful rendition of ‘Abide with Me’. The wreaths were laid by the Remembrance Memorial, as here at Grace College we strive to always remember those who gave their lives so we can go forth in their memory, and honour the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
I was privileged to recite the exhortation from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’. This was followed by ‘The Last Post’, performed by Marek Badja and Katie Talbot-Brown. The Grace College community observed 2 minutes silence, one of the most honourable ways for us to show our respect for the fallen.
Marek and Katie then played a heartfelt rendition of the ‘Reveille’, a piece of music which was used to wake military personnel at sunrise; a symbol of the new beginnings each soldier’s life granted us in their sacrifice. Head Prefect, Euan Gray, who also did a brilliant job of conducting the band, recited the ‘Kohima Epitaph’, bringing the service to a very poignant end.
Grace College’s commemoration of Armistice Day is a key part of our school history, and one which will endure for many years in the future, as we perform our most sacred act of respect to those who lost their lives: remembering.
A special thanks to the Grace College band, who once again, paid a fantastically touching tribute to all those who lost their lives at the expense of conflicts.
The living owe it to those who no longer speak to tell their story for them.
