We Will Remember Them – Remembrance 2024

Cadets of Corps were busy last week selling poppies across the school to support the Royal British Legion’s annual appeal, preparing our community for the school’s Service of Remembrance on Sunday. When Remembrance Sunday came, a large congregation of pupils, parents, staff, ex-cadets and Old Caterhamians gathered to offer humble and sober thanks to the Fallen and reflect on the horror of war past and present.

As a single bass drum pounded out an eerie pulse in the still autumn air, a Guard of Honour slow marched on and rested on arms reversed as the Heads of School read out the Roll of Honour. Then, to the powerful accompaniment of the Wind Band under Dr Brammeld’s baton, a 150-strong parade of cadets marched on under the command of RSM Sam Gill (Head of Corps) to pay its respects. After words from the Padre and the Headmaster and a poem beautifully read by Cpl William Chambers, the Last Post heralded a silence that fell across the country and the Commonwealth. At last, the Reveille, played with moving clarity by Ethan Tsang, brought up the lowered banners again, a symbol of new life so dearly paid for. The hard work of the cadets and the skill of the musicians conspired to produce a moving morning, a potent reminder of the destruction of war in times gone by and in our own.

We will remember them.

Capt Mathew Owen

OC Army Section