On Sunday, King’s Bruton paused to remember the brave former pupils and masters of the School who served and gave their lives during WWI, WWII, the Korean War and Afghanistan War. Alongside this, the School joined Bruton Town in supporting the remembrance of the men of Bruton who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have meant that we were unable to hold our usual Sunday Service in the Memorial Hall. However, whilst we couldn’t gather, we could all still honour the reason why we gather - to remember. Thus, a short video was put together, showcasing the Roll of Honour - all the names of the men from King’s Bruton. Their names are carved into the wooden panels of our Memorial Hall alongside the memorials in the side chapel of St Mary’s Church (the School’s chapel). Within this video, photos of many of these brave souls were interspersed, including photos of those who sadly died in the Korean War and War in Afghanistan. This Roll of Honour video, set to Vaughn Williams’s ‘The Lark Ascending’ can be watched below.

A poppy wreath of remembrance was also laid in the Memorial Hall on behalf of the whole King’s Bruton Community and Old Brutonians. 

Whilst we can't gather in the Memorial Hall at @KingsBruton today, we have still laid a wreath in grateful thanks to all the @OldBrutonians who fought & died in WWI, WWII, the Korean War, & the Afghanistan War, for the freedoms we enjoy today. #WeWillRememberThem pic.twitter.com/Z24uyMiJyE

— Chaplain (@KSBChaplain) November 8, 2020

As well as the above, the School upheld it’s tradition of supporting Bruton Town and St Mary’s Church with their Remembrance activities. Usually, hundreds of pupils and staff parade through the town behind our CCF Military Band to the town’s War Memorial by Church Bridge where a King’s bugler plays the 'Last Post' and 'Reveille' whilst CCF cadets lower and raise the flag. Again, Covid-19 restrictions meant much of this could not take place. Indeed, there was no formal gathering of the public allowed. That said, the School was pleased to be able to support the Town with the socially-distanced Act of Remembrance that did occur. This saw the School providing PA technical equipment alongside our live streaming hardware so that the local community could watch the Act of Remembrance live online.

Additionally, Jeevan (3^rd Form, Blackford House) laid a wreath on behalf of the School Community & Old Brutonians, whilst Mr Beverly, the Chaplain, read some liturgical words of remembrance, alongside the Roll of Honour and some scripture readings. A video of this Act of Remembrance can be watched below.

Finally, the School was delighted to honour a tradition it has kept for many years: the Headmaster and Chaplain held a short Remembrance ceremony & laid wreaths in St Mary’s Churchyard to remember Air Chief Marshal Sir Geoffrey Salmond, Marshal of the Air Force Sir John Salmond & Pilot Officer John Geoffrey Salmond who was shot down over Norway during WWII. The Salmonds were residents of Bruton who had a close association with the School. Photos of the wreaths laid can be seen here.

Pleased that @KingsBruton held a short ceremony & laid wreaths this morning to remember Air Chief Marshal Sir Geoffrey Salmond, Marshal of the Air Force Sir John Salmond & Pilot Officer John Geoffrey Salmond who was shot down over Norway during WWII. #WeWillRememberThem pic.twitter.com/ehmgHmlF3w

— Chaplain (@KSBChaplain) November 8, 2020

I am so pleased that in the midst of the pandemic, our school community played to its strengths, rallying together to serve the wider community and honour the brave souls who gave their today for our tomorrow. Their name liveth for evermore.

George Beverly - Chaplain

It was a surprise and a privilege, after only a few weeks at school, to be asked to lay the wreath at the Bruton Town’s Act of Remembrance, on behalf of the School, past and present. It was extra special for me, given that I am from a military family”.