Trinity came together for its annual Remembrance Service to honour those who have lost their lives in conflict and to reflect on how we can each play our part in promoting peace today.
This year’s address was given by Mr King, Trinity’s Archivist and former student, who shared the remarkable and moving stories of three Old Mid-Whitgiftians – Thomas Ferguson (1896-1915), Frank Roffey (1896-1915) and Allen Wyeth (1896-1915) – who all joined Trinity in 1907 and sadly died within six months of each other during the First World War, aged just 18 and 19 years old.
Thomas Ferguson had been described by his officers as ‘cheery, never dispirited, ever ready – even when worn out – to do that little bit more than his fair share to help out.” Mr King reflected that this and the bravery shown by the others is so typical of a Trinity student, spirit and ethos, even back then. You can read more about their stories here.
He also noted that 1915 – the year all three young men fell – was the year the Trinity Combined Cadet Force was formed, making this its 110th anniversary.
Mr King reminded students that 268 members of the Trinity community gave their lives in the two World Wars, including the three Curry brothers who were still at school when their home was struck by a Zeppelin bomb and two masters. He asked the community to reflect on this number and to remember not only our former students and staff but all those who have sadly lost their lives to conflict around the world.
The Headmaster led the school in prayer before student trumpeter Gabriel N played the Last Post, calling the Concert Hall to silence. Head Boy Oscar, Head Girl Abi, Mr Kennedy and Mr King then left the stage to lay wreaths at the school’s war memorial, where the alumni and development team had planted metal poppies – one for every Trinity life lost in war.
Seventeen alumni, along with two relatives of a former student who went missing over the North Sea in 1941, attended the service and wreath-laying before joining staff for a reflective lunch.
To close the service, the girls’ and boys’ choirs gave a stirring performance of John Ireland’s Greater Love. Its message of fellowship, sacrifice and love brought the hall to stillness and gave everyone something to reflect on as they left.
Displays in the library and outside the chapel tell the stories of these former students, alongside ongoing research by alumni Neil McKenzie and Mark Gardner, who continue to uncover names of Old Mid-Whitgiftians who served and fell.
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