Students and staff took part in Remembrance events in London, Dover and across the Channel in Belgium.

For Remembrance Sunday, members of The Dukies’ Association joined with parents and families of current students in a parade at the School’s war memorial. The parade was inspected by Principal and Commandant Alex Foreman, Chairman of The Dukies’ Association Simon Daglish and Vice Principal and Lieutenant Colonel Steven Saunderson. This was followed by a service in the Chapel where the School Colours were laid upon the altar as an act of reverential remembrance.

Events began for the school on the previous Thursday with the Torch Lighting Ceremony of the British Torch of Remembrance at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. This was an historic and significant occasion in the presence of Belgium Ambassadorial and Ministry of Defence senior representatives. In a service led by the Canon of Westminster Abbey, the Reverend Anthony Ball, students formed a Guard of Honour to stand over the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior during the service, as well as a colour party and buglers. Senior Under Officer Alfred commanded the Guard of Honour, which consisted of Junior Under Officers Ashiph, Isabelle, Peter, Nigel, Imogen and Ashleigh. The Colour Ensigns were Junior Under Officers Joshua and Splendor. Buglers who played the Last Post and Reveille were Bugle Major Owen, Corporal Jere and Corporal Aaron.

Back in Kent on Friday, students provided a Guard of Honour and buglers for the Service of Remembrance at Dover Marine Railway Station (now the cruise terminal) in support of the British Torch of Remembrance and South Eastern Railways, as the torch continued its journey to Brussels. Students taking part were Guard Commander Senior Under Officer Alfred, and Stick Orderlies Corporal Sean and Corporal Hilary. Buglers playing the Last Post and Reveille were Bugle Major Owen, Corporal Jere and Corporal Aaron.

Over in Belgium at the weekend, representatives of the School and members of the British Torch of Remembrance visited the Menin Gate to commemorate the Dukies who fell within the Ypres salient between 1914 -18. They took part in a march through Brussels city centre and a reception at Brussels City Hall. The following day they were privileged to exercise their right to be the sole British representatives marching in the King’s Armistice Day Parade where wreaths were laid at La Colonne du Congrès, the resting place of the Belgian Unknown Warrior.

On Saturday evening, the School hosted 200 former students in its dining hall for The Dukies’ Association’s Annual Reunion Dinner.

Please click here for photos.