Remembrance Weekend saw staff and pupils at Stonyhurst College and Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall remembering those men and women who have lost their lives in service.
273 former Stonyhurst pupils lost their lives in the Great War and in conflicts since then. Over the last four years every one of them has been remembered individually in the College assembly closest to the one hundredth anniversary of their death, and, over the last two days, collectively.
Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall arranged 176 crosses in the form of a poppy. These represent 168 Stonyhurst old-boys who died in the Great War and eight members of staff who left their employment here to volunteer. In addition, St Mary’s Hall parents funded the purchase of two “There But Not There” statues, which now stand by the school’s entrance – one guarding the 176 crosses and the other standing by the Centenaries Theatre.
On Friday, the Last Post was sounded from the Top Gallery as the whole of the Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall community gathered in silence around the main stairs. During the two minutes silence, poppies cascaded through the stairwell down to the Lady Statue.
Paul Garlington of Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall said: “Our pupils show great maturity and understanding when participating in Remembrance activities. It is always a very sombre occasion but it is one that provides an important opportunity for the children to reflect on sacrifices that others have made for future generations.”
Later on in the day, the Stonyhurst College Combined Cadet Force (CCF) represented CCFs in the Northwest region along with Army Cadet Force, RAF and Sea Cadets, Regular and Reserve Forces. at the Festival of Remembrance at Preston Guild Hall, organised by HQNW. Four Junior Under Officers from the Sixth Form read a citation given for Maurice Dease for his VC, and Wilfred Owen’s The Sentry, accompanied sotto voce by the Band of the King’s Division.
Sunday 11th November saw the blessing of the wreath, carried by Junior Under Officer Timmins, followed by a service of remembrance in Hurst Green. The Senior Company of Stonyhurst College’s CCF paraded with standards in the annual Hurst Green Remembrance ceremony, with Junior Under Officer Robert Kellet laying the wreath.
A private service at the College’s war memorial took place on the morning of Monday to commemorate former pupils who lost their lives in the Great War or while serving their country more recently.
Lt Col Andrew Barber said: “Remembrance Day and the commemorative events that surround it are always very moving occasions. The Stonyhurst CCF approaches all ceremonies and parades with great pride, but of all the events in the CCF calendar, those that take place over the Remembrance weekend are the ones that the pupils feel the most honoured to participate in. We will always remember.”