Remembrance Sunday
Members of the community joined students, parents and staff from Gordon’s on Sunday for the Parade and Service of Remembrance around the Parade Square, conducted by the School Chaplain the Reverend Graham Wright.
Dressed in their Blues uniform and accompanied by the Pipes and Drums – a unique feature of Gordon’s that has been part of the school since its inception over a century ago – the student body marched and remembered the sacrifices of so many, including the 155 former students killed in action during the First World War; 31 in the Second World War and Gordonian Darryl Gardiner and affiliated staff member Steve Curley, both killed in Afghanistan.
Poppy wreaths were laid by Mrs Jane Valner, on behalf of the Gordon Foundation Trustees; Gordonian Jessica Kruger for the Gordonians and Gordon’s School Sergeant Major Isabelle Fleming for students and staff.
Staff, students and their families – many of whom are currently serving their country in the Forces - observed the two minute silence, preceded by The Last Post played by trumpeter Jess Fowler. The Reveille was performed by trumpeter Ben Hallett with Pipe Major Lucy Massie piping the Lament.
In his address the Reverend Wright said: “…Sacrifice is the supreme act of love. The exact opposite of the ‘me culture’ where ‘self comes first’. Acts of sacrifice for others are at the heart of the Gordon’s culture. It sums up the true value of stopping today to remember the fallen and taking the time to consider the direction of our own lives…”
Over 8,000 miles away in In the Falkland Islands, Major John Balmer, Contingent Commander of Gordon’s School’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) was laying a wreath at Port Stanley in remembrance of his fallen colleagues. Major Balmer was a section commander in the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment and was one of the 26,000 Armed Forces personnel deployed to the islands to fight in the war against Argentina 40 years ago.