Act of Remembrance: We Will Remember Them

The UCS Foundation held its annual Act of Remembrance to pay tribute to the sacrifice and service of previous generations those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

At this solemn occasion, Headmaster, Mark Beard, together with Headmistress of the Pre-Prep, Zoe Dunn, Headmaster of the Junior Branch, Lewis Hayward, Chief Operations Office, Victoria Heeley and Old Gowers’ Association President, Mark Alden, processed to the War Memorial, where they each laid a wreath.

252 Old Gowers and staff were killed in the four years of fighting between 1914 and 1918 and no fewer than 17 families lost two or more sons. Nearly 1,000 Old Gowers served in World War II, of whom 122 were killed. Many of their names are inscribed in stone on the Memorial.

Headmaster Mark Beard had the privilege of remembering the fallen with touching words reflected on how readily peace can be threatened “The annual Act of Remembrance is an opportunity to remember, chiefly, those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in the name of freedom and liberty. This year marks the 80th anniversaries of momentous battles and turning points of the Second World War. An opportunity to remember the courage of 1944.

Remembrance does not glorify war – and its symbol, the red poppy, is a sign both of Remembrance and of hope for a peaceful future. The wreaths we lay today are on behalf of all members of the UCS community, in honour of those other members of this school who have given their lives in war.”

He explained “Remembrance is also a chance to pay tribute to the special contribution of service families and of the emergency services. A chance, too, to acknowledge innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism.”

Year 13 pupils and their Form Tutors lined the route of the procession along with staff members. Pupils from the UCS Pre-Prep (Year 2) and Junior Branch (Year 6) were also present. Captains of Monitors, Eliza Ascott and Finn Kjaergaard, represented pupils of all ages when they stepped forward to leave posies at the memorial.

Mr Beard invited today’s generation to honour the fallen from the UCS communities of yesteryear who had given their lives in war and to think specifically of their sacrifice.

“As we stand for a few moments in silence, we should reflect on that and should remember that their sacrifice was supposed to make it ever less likely that our names will appear on War Memorials of this kind.

We have much to remember them for.

We WILL remember them.”