Pupils, staff, distinguished guests and Old Monmothians took part in moving Acts of Remembrance, led by the Chaplain, Reverend Clifford Swartz, on Armistice Day at the war memorials at both Monmouth School for Boys and Monmouth School for Girls.

The Boys’ School War Memorial, conceptualized in 1919 by the Old Monmothians, stands in memory of the 76 old boys who sacrificed their lives in World War One. Meanwhile, the memorial at Monmouth School for Girls pays tribute to former student Maud Edwards, a nurse killed in the explosion that destroyed the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Natal in December 1915.

Following the School’s Remembrance Service on Saturday, students, staff and friends of the school joined Monmouth town’s Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service at Agincourt Square.

Head Girl, Nell, and Head Boy, Oliver, were among those that spoke and laid wreaths at the town service, along with a student from our Prep School.

Our CCF (Combined Cadet Force) lead by Major White and Sgt Davidson turned out immaculately, joining the main parade through the town. A special mention to the corp of drums, students Katie E, William W and William A, came from Dr Ruth Weeks, former Deputy Head turned School Governor, who commented on how lovely it was that “our cadet force now has a heartbeat that we can all march to”.

Around fifty musicians supplied music for the Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday ceremonies. Students Jasper D and Robert B played the Last Post – Jasper in school and Robert in St James’ Square.  The Brass Band, under Mr Russell’s direction played the hymns and anthems on Saturday and a 44-strong Chapel Choir sang music on Sunday by Robert Ashfield, Vaughan Williams and George Dyson in the chapel.

Armistice Day falls on 11th November each year – the day in 1918 that the armistice was signed to end the First World War after four years of fighting.