The Trinity community gathered on Monday for this year’s Remembrance Day, marking the occasion alongside many others around the world.
Mr Kennedy, the Headmaster, opened the whole school assembly by emphasising the importance of remembering the generations before us who gave their lives in armed conflict, as well as the many people around the world who continue to lose their lives in war today.
The Trinity community has been profoundly affected by war, and a roll of honour is currently on display in the Circus area, organised by Trinity Archivist and alumnus Laurie King. Each year, we remember the 254 alumni who died serving their country, and today we welcomed a group of alumni to join us in marking the occasion.
This year’s address was given by Mr Haythorne, Teacher of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, who shared a personal story about his connection with the day. He admitted that, as a child, he felt uncomfortable on Remembrance Day because he had no direct relatives who had served in battle, unlike many of his peers. Over time, he reconciled these feelings by broadening his understanding of the many people involved in conflict, including those he could identify with, and spoke of the ‘unarmed forces’. Mr Haythorne encouraged students to reflect on the many civilians in various roles – delivering food, providing medical assistance – who choose to enter warzones alongside the armed forces, demonstrating immense courage.
The Guard of Honour, CSgt Ibberson, and flag bearers took their places on stage before the Headmaster led a prayer of remembrance. Deputy Head Boy Daniel then performed a poignant rendition of The Last Post, after which the school observed two minutes of silence.
Following this, the Headmaster and Heads of School departed to lay wreaths at the school’s war memorial, while the choir performed Mass for the Dead, part of Faure’s Requiem, with great beauty. This provided everyone with an opportunity to reflect on the morning’s assembly.
Outside, at the war memorial, the Alumni and Development team had ‘planted’ a metal poppy for every Trinity life lost during war. It was among this sea of red that the Headmaster, Heads of School, alumni, and members of the CCF gathered to pay their respects and lay wreaths.
We will remember them.
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