#remembrance2021

This week in any school always sees a focus on Remembrance. For me it brought back memories from one of my earlier roles, as Under Master at Westminster School, which you may know is the school of Westminster Abbey. This link afforded me the opportunity to attend the national Remembrance services in the Abbey each year. Towards the end of the service, as the choir and the Westminster scholars joined representatives of the armed forces in honouring the unknown warrior and all those he represents, we would hear Big Ben strike 11am for the start of the two-minute silence. The period of reflection in those surroundings, with all those serving services personal concluded with the sound of the cannon in Hyde Park echoing around. It is difficult to find the words to explain how moving is was to be a part of that service.

My assembly in the first half of this week was the story of the tomb of the unknown warrior, the most venerated grave in the Abbey. It is a story full of symbolism – first of how the body was chosen; and then pageantry which accompanied its state funeral and burial, in the presence of George V, in the nave of the Abbey on Armistice Day in 1920. So often when we think back to the First and Second World Wars – and increasingly so as we lose those with the direct experience of combat – we focus on the numbers lost, the statistics of war. The unknown warrior helps us to remember all the individual tragedies that war has brought.

Yesterday’s Remembrance services were appropriately reflective affairs: I was pleased that we were able to allow every section of the school to attend a service in the Main Hall. Rev Slavic asked us to contemplate the significance of the poppy and what it represents, and I was happy to see it was worn by just about all our pupils. The Last Post and Reveille were played beautifully by Maddie Gallon, and our main service for Shells to Year 9 also included a contemplative piece by Izabela Ward on violin. The silence was observed immaculately.

When we come to this time of year in a new school, I wonder how much relevance the children see in these acts of Remembrance. Many of us will have had grandparents who served through the Second World War. My grandfather, a RNVR Veteran, lived to 102, so my children will be among the few of today’s generation who are able to make that connection to a relative they actually knew. That is why our services of Remembrance have to maintain their relevance in the years to come.

Remember, O Lord, all those the brave and the true. To those who have died the death of honour and are departed in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life. In that place of light from which sorrow and mourning are far banished, give them rest, O Lord, thou lover of men. Grant to us who remain the spirit of service which may make us worthy of their sacrifice. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. On April 25th, 1915, 60 thousand ANZACS faced a glimpse of hope as a long journey ashore had met its end. Soldiers, with firearms unprepared, teamed on their boats row by row sailing to what was later named ANZAC Cove. There was silence, suspense, many rushed before first orders were given. Time had rapidly past and soon time stood still before eventually the first shot was fired. Soldiers were wounded, over 7 thousand Australian and New Zealander soldiers had fallen. But in that time, it was the first victory and first contribution by a country that truly fought for the believe of peace and doing their duty. It mattered not their skills, age, nor, colour of their skin. But the fire in their soul and passion in their heart to bring peace. They did not know what time would bring, but they fought nonetheless. On this day, at 4:30am through to dawn, myself and many other Australians have gone out to pay respects to those that travelled through darkness on a long journey, not knowing that many of them would not return home. It is a day of remembrance. And although we have not yet truly learnt how to live in harmony, we still believe we should honour those who serve, both in past, present and in the generations to come. I give thanks to my friends and family that have served, though I could not imagine what they have gone through, I understand that a man who goes to war never returns the same. I ensure they know their service has not been ignored, their battle is done. We remember and give our thanks. And through time provide our service to bring peace to our future generations as they have for ours. They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning. We will remember them. Lest we Forget