Every year, in order to honour and respect those who have suffered or died in war, King’s pupils, parents and staff unite for a special remembrance service led by the School Chaplain, Father Mark.
The whole school community gathered for the Solemn Mass for Remembrance Sunday. The touching ceremony included a stirring sermon from Reverent Mike Haslam and the role of peacemakers, music, readings and a Roll of Honour of our OAs lost in the Great War and World War II.
Three King’s pupils shared the organ-playing. Liam A, Fergus D and Charly S joined College Organist John Young, the College Brass Group (directed by Stuart Paul) and the College Chapel Choir to provide the music at last Sunday’s service.
It was a pleasure to welcome back former pupil Major David Richmond RM, who laid one of the wreaths this year. David was in Tuckwell House, and left King’s in 2010. While at King’s, David was an NCO in the Royal Marines CCF Section, and a member of the Pringle Trophy team.
He joined the Royal Marine Commandos in 2013 as a Direct Entry Young Officer. He has worked alongside all three single Services and UK Special Forces during his career, as well as other NATO Marine and Commando forces in the UK, overseas and on operations. His last role was the Military Assistant for Operations to the RN Fleet Commander, VAdm Kyd CB and VAdm Burns CB OBE. He will assume the role of Operations Officer 43 Commando, HMNB Clyde in March following a 6-month command and staff course at the Defence Academy and Kings College London.
Following the service, the congregation moved to the Memorial Quadrangle, where the poems In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae and the response, We Shall Keep the Faith, by Moina Michael were read by the School Captains, and the names of all former pupils lost in the First and Second World Wars were recited by the Headmaster. As a final act of remembrance, staff and pupils laid wreaths on the war memorial.