Remembrance Sunday is always a poignant and significant event in the King’s school calendar.

Remembrance Sunday

The School was delighted to welcome back on Sunday many ex-military Old Brutonians, along with Old Brutonians, King’s and Hazlegrove parents currently serving in the Armed Forces. The Headmaster led the Service of Remembrance in our own dedicated war memorial, the Memorial Hall, and highlighted the importance of the Memorial Hall to King’s, with panels to OBs who fell in both World Wars, the Korean War and most recently in Afghanistan. The Headmaster then explained the significance of the 54 Thankful Villages in England and Wales, which don’t have war memorials as all men who left to fight in the First World War returned alive. The importance of remembering the fallen but also the importance of celebrating peace and concord, following the themes of the reading, Matthew 5 vv1-13, read by the Deputy Head Girl, were highlighted in the Headmaster’s address. OB Richard Sullivan (New 1958-1962) read the exhortation from Binyon’s 'The Fallen', Joe (U6^th Form, Blackford) played 'The Last Post' and 'Reveille', and Richard Sullivan concluded with 'The Kohima Epitaph' before wreaths were laid by the President of the Old Brutonian Association, David Fleming, and the Head Boy and Head Girl.

The Military Band then led the School community through Bruton, joined by the other Bruton schools, The Royal British Legion and members of the town to the Service of Remembrance at the town’s war memorial outside St Mary’s Church. The weather was cold, clear and ideal for a moving service for the whole town. Ellie, (3^rd Form Arion) placed the wreath on behalf of King’s and George (U6^th Form, New) played 'The Last Post'. It was clear that King’s Bruton was playing an integral part in this major whole town event and there was an obvious feeling of joint remembrance and community spirit from all present. The School then hosted a very enjoyable buffet lunch for the OB and military parents who had led the procession behind the Military Band.

Armistice Day

The School also held a short Act of Remembrance at 1100 on Monday 11^th November in The Memorial Hall. Amelia (5^th Form, Priory) sang her own composition 'They Gave Their Lives For Me' in memory of her great, great grandfather, who served in The London Irish Rifles in the First World War, before the Headmaster led the School in the Act of Remembrance. Sophie  (L6^th Form, Arion) played 'The Last Post' and the pupils and staff joined together for the two minutes silence. This year's Services of Remembrance were important and impressive events. The Military Band was outstanding and the School's depth of talent was shown by the fact that separate pupils performed 'The Last Post' at three separate events.

Ian Wilmshurst - Headmaster

Flickr album: Remembrance Day Service - 10th November 2019 | Height: auto | Theme: Default

Some quotes from those involved in the Remembrance Services:

Joe (U6^th Form, Blackford

"For me, having the opportunity to play 'The Last Post' in school and march with the military band for the town is a massive honour not only to show for some of my family that have served in the military, but also because of the meaning behind Remembrance Day itself."

Sophie  (L6^th Form, Arion)

"I was proud to be able to play 'The Last Post' in Assembly. When I was playing, I thought of the Old Brutonians who had fallen and I realised the importance of the service".

Amelia (5^th Form, Priory)

"I wrote 'They Gave Their Lives For Me' last summer, on the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War. I have always had an interest in this period, because, like so many others, one of my ancestors fought and died in WW1. I find it amazing how brave all these soldiers were, that they gladly laid down their lives so that the next generation could live in freedom. I wanted to write a song about it to express how I felt. My great, great grandfather was in the London Irish Rifles, and so I used their “theme” song - 'The Wearing of the Green' - for the melody, and wrote my own lyrics which you can read below".

Heading off to start the precession @KingsBruton pic.twitter.com/fbTLXLMyf1

— Arion House (@KSBArionHouse) November 10, 2019

Remembrance Day parade @KingsBruton @KSBCCF @KSBMusicDept #WeWillRememberThem pic.twitter.com/Ib6HF5Onsx

— Arion House (@KSBArionHouse) November 10, 2019