While centenary events took place across the country on Sunday to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War, we gathered in the school Chapel on Friday to remember those who had paid the highest price in the past and to pray for peace in the future.
The children walked calmly in to the service with Max and Henry playing expertly on the bagpipes. We were joined by Capt (Retd) Dan Reed, current Deputy Housemaster of Loveday at the Senior School, who served as a Captain in the Royal Welsh before working at Cranleigh School.
Having toured Iraq in 2007, then Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010 before retiring from active service, he spoke movingly about some experiences of his time in service, the friends he lost and why remembrance was so important to him. It was a poignant reminder that the millions remembered this weekend were not numbers, but people.
The whole school sang a beautiful rendition of ‘Abide with me’ and the Chapel Choir, conducted by Mrs Williams, performed Willcocks’ ‘Lord, Make Me An Instrument’ with beautiful solos by Maisy B and Alice P. Jamie T superbly played the Last Post and Reveille as the children and staff respected a two minute silence. The pupils’ behaviour was impeccable throughout as they absorbed the solemnity of this important occasion.
Our moving service was followed by a Peace Walk to the village memorial and centenary garden with all local schools.