Caterham Remembers

Cadets of Corps have again been busy during this year’s remembrance season. Following our Head of Corps’ role at a national ceremony in Westminster last week, many cadets have been busy selling poppies across the school and contributing to the ceremony of Armistice Day on Tuesday. 

Remembrance Sunday itself saw a large congregation of pupils, parents, staff, ex-cadets and Old Caterhamians gather in bright autumn sunshine to offer sober and heartfelt thanks to the Fallen and reflect on the horror of war. 

First a Guard of Honour rested on arms reversed as the Heads of School read out the Roll of Honour to the hauntingly beautiful lament of Dr Sinclair’s bagpipes. Then, accompanied magnificently of the Wind Band under Dr Brammeld’s baton, the 190 cadets of Corps marched on under the command of RSM Jonathan Woods to pay its respects. After words from the Padre and the Headmaster and a poem beautifully read by Sgt Lyla Beukes, 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. 

Once again, the efforts of the cadets and the talents of the musicians allied to produce a moving morning, at once both paean to sacrifice and elegy for loss. 

We will remember them. 

Capt Mathew Owen 

OC Army Section.