On Sunday, we paid tribute to the sacrifice made by many Old Bedfordians, servicemen, servicewomen and civilians from around the world in our annual Remembrance Sunday Service, which took place in the chapel. The CCF Colour Party looked very smart and the Chapel Choir sang a very moving rendition of ‘Exhortation’, from Laurence Binyon’s “For the Fallen”.
Lt Col Andy Macfarlane RA (the School’s Director of Finance and Operations and officer in the Army Reserve) reflected on the importance of Armistice Day and upon the life and death of Sub-Lieutenant Arthur Tisdall (see story here) who was a pupil at the school between 1900 and 1909, asking us to consider our purpose and to what values we would wish to dedicate our lives.
Following the service, Lt Col Iain Hutchison AGC(ETS) (84-90), laid the wreath outside the Memorial Hall, in memory of the Old Bedfordians who had made the ultimate sacrifice. The Club was also represented by OB Club President, Professor Martin Snaith OBE (53-63), and Chairman, Craig Mitchell (64-74). The end of the Wreath Laying Ceremony was poignantly marked by a lone piper playing ‘Flower of the Forest’. It was amazing to see how still the boys were as the pipes faded into the distance, all trying to catch the last notes.
“Although this year, due to the imposition of restrictions at the request of the Borough Director of Public Health, we were not able to welcome OBs and guests other than a handful of invited representatives, we hope very much that we can welcome back members of our wider community next year. The service acted as a reminder not only of the sacrifice of those who have died in the service of our nation and those of all nations who have died in pursuit of peace and justice, but also of the sacrifices that members of HM Forces, including many OBs, continue to make to ensure our safety.” Mr. Neil McCleery, School Chaplain.
See photo album here.
