WWI Centenary Commemoration

Our Commemoration Meeting for Worship to mark the 100^th Anniversary of the End of the First World War was in itself a memorable occasion.

The first part of the Meeting was held in the Hall. In his opening ministry, Matthew Judd, Head, stressed the importance of Remembrance and suggested how we might use the period of silent reflection. John Allinson, Archivist, and Charlotte Smith, Old Leightonian, then spoke about their research for the book ‘Great Ideals: Leighton Park and the First World War’ and the way they been affected as they found out more about the lives and deaths of each of the 28 Old Leightonians who perished in the War.

The silence that closed the first part of the Meeting was maintained as the whole school walked respectfully to the Memorial Garden outside Peckover. Here, each student and member of staff placed a poppy in receptacles placed opposite Peckover. Head Boy, Chunya Munga,  and Head Girl, Kierah Nabena,  read extracts from letters and poetry that conveyed the horror of war. A final period of silence preceded the poignant playing of The Last Post by Music department students.

The whole school had participated in an event which, in a remarkable way, brought us together to honour the memory of men who, as fellow members of our wonderful school community, had once lived, worked and played on the Park, benefiting from its serenity and beauty.  We will continue to remember them.

By John Allinson, Archivist