Glyn School Remembers
Remembering the 33 Glyn Old Boys
On Thursday 11 November we held a service to remember the 32 Old Glyn Boys who fell in World War II, and to Major Paul Harding who died in the Iraq War 13 years ago.
Year 9 students gathered in The Proctor Hall for the Remembrance Service, whilst the rest of the school watched a remotely, which meant that the whole school was able to participate in the service. The Remembrance Service was led by Mr Duffield, Mrs Garrod, Kai 13A, Head Boy, and Jess 13O1, Head Girl. Representing former students of the school was Elliot Gilbert, who is now the school’s Head Chef.
During the service, each of the fallen Old Boy’s names were read out, along with their ages and a brief description of how they lost their lives during conflict. This is always a particularly moving part of the service, as we are reminded that each of those former students would have stood in The Proctor Hall, just as many of us did yesterday. Wreaths were then laid at the War Memorial in the school’s Quad, whilst the Combined Cadet Force provided a Guard of Honour. The Last Post and Reveille was played by Jowan 7O, with exceptional composure and feeling.
Students demonstrated a deep understanding of the significance of the Remembrance Service, as they maintained a dignified silence and respect throughout.
Mr Summers, Head of History, Government and Politics, Deputy Head of Year 10
On 11 November, the day the guns of World War I fell silent in 1918, we mark Remembrance Day to remember and honour all those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Sadly, today, there are no longer any surviving war veterans from the First World War, and there are only a few surviving war veterans from the Second World War. Therefore, Remembrance Day is even more important, and time should be spent reflecting on the sacrifices made by veterans for our freedom and liberty.
On Thursday 11 November at Glyn School, we held a Remembrance Service and two-minute silence to commemorate the service personnel who lost their lives in times of conflict. Every year, we particularly remember and honour the 33 Glyn ‘Old Boys’ who gave their lives preserving our freedom. They were schoolboys one day, and the next they had the destiny of civilisation in their hands, as they were conscripted onto the battlefields.
In the English curriculum, we study war poetry, which captures the bravery, horrific experiences and plight of many soldiers who paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedom and peace. One of the poets we study, who served in the British Forces in WW1 and died in the line of duty, is Wilfred Owen. Owen, like many other war poets we study, tells a tragic and brutal story of war and conflict. His poetry captures our students’ imaginations and paints a vivid image of what life was like in the trenches. It is incredibly important that we share stories, poetry, letters, articles and photographs of the war and communicate with each other about our heritage and the war veterans within our local community, school and families. This communication and storytelling will ensure that we honour, and do not forget, the soldiers and the huge sacrifices that they made.
My grandfather, Eric Picken, was called up for military service on 1 November 1939. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corp as a Nursing Orderly and was attached to the 10th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Regiment. During the Battle of France, when the Germans invaded Holland and Belgium and the British Army retreated towards Dunkirk, Eric was ordered to stay behind to look after the wounded soldiers. On 17 June, his family received a letter notifying them that Eric had been captured by the Germans and was now a prisoner of war. On 2 December 1940, Eric was a prisoner at a German prisoner of war camp in East Prussia (which is now part of Poland). My grandfather marched hundreds of miles from France, through Belgium, to Germany and then into East Prussia (five months of tiresome and relentless marching). He was a prisoner of war for five years and was eventually liberated by the American Army and, thankfully, returned home to his family on 4 May 1945.
When I teach war poetry, I share my personal story and the account of my grandfather with students, and I am often moved by their response. They too share their own personal accounts and stories of their relatives who were Army Privates, RAF Pilots and those who participated in the war effort in any way, to ensure our freedom.
As a school community - lest we forget.
Miss Picken, Assistant Headteacher
Epsom Town Centre Remembrance Service
James 13B Reading
In Epsom and Ewell, local research shows that this area has 29 recognised memorials directly linked to WW1. Some of these are in churches, some are in prominent places on the roadside and the town centre, and some are in less prominent places. Regardless of location, each of these memorials serve as places of recognition and remembrance, not just on the 11th of the 11th at the 11th hour. These permanent memorials in stone and brick , metal and plaster, in wood and on paper, serve as a focus for grateful thanks and quiet reflection.
It was with great pride that James 13B, part of our Student Leadership Team, was able to deliver a reading at the Epsom Town Centre Remembrance Service, accompanied by a small group of students from Year 8 and Year 13, friends from other local schools, and many of Epsom’s civic leaders. All those present were able to take part in a service which has taken place at the same time, and in the same place, for 102 years.
Memorials are more than statues and plaques. They are the deeds and actions of people and, as in every year, so James’ reading reminds us that, “At eleven, we stand and pray.” For a community to come together to remember, for more than a century, is a great achievement and one which is, in itself, a real and living memorial for Epsom and Ewell.
Mr Sullivan, Design Technology, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
