8th November 2020
An Introduction We gather together to remember and give thanks for all those who have offered themselves in sacrificial service so that future generations, like us, might enjoy peace and liberty. As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, we remember especially those who defended the skies of Britain against the air force of Nazi Germany. If it had not been for the efforts of the men and women of the Royal Air force, the outcome of the Second World War could have been very different. Even though it was a battle for Britain, fought in the skies above Kent, it was not only those who called Britain home who stepped up to offer their service and sacrifice. Men and women from across the Commonwealth offered their lives in the defence of freedom. Airmen and women from India, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Poland, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados, as well as other parts of the world, all fought and died not only in the Battle of Britain but also throughout the Second World War. It is therefore in honour of their sacrifice and all who have died in war that we gather here today. We hope and pray that their sacrifice was not in vain and that we will all continue to work for peace and reconciliation and to build upon the work and efforts of all who we remember this day.
Reading The Prophecy of Micah 4: 1-5 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. In Memoriam We remember before Almighty God those members of the King’s School who gave their lives in the Second World War. The Act of Remembrance The Headmaster: Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping, all those who have died as a result of war: those whom we knew and whose memory we treasure, and all who have lived and died in the service of humanity. Last Post Two Minutes’ Silence Reveille
The Captain of School, Head Chapel Warden, a member of the C.C.F. and a member of staff will lay wreaths on the War Memorial
All:
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. We will remember them. When you go home, tell them of us, and say For your tomorrows these gave their today.
Silence is kept as the Choir sings: For The Fallen
Douglas Guest Reading
George Edwards was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He was the Rear Gunner on one of two planes used during Operation Freshman. He was killed instantly when his aircraft crashed into HÌstad Mountain, in Norway, around midnight on the 19th November 1942. That fateful evening, two Halifax bombers, each towing a Horsa Glider took off from RAF Skitten, near Wick in NE Scotland. On board each glider were 15 specially trained Royal Engineers, and two pilots. Their top-secret mission, codenamed Operation Freshman, was to destroy the heavy water-producing facility at the Norsk Hydro industrial complex near Vemork, Norway. This facility was a crucial part of Nazi Germany’s efforts to develop a nuclear bomb. Tragically, one of the Halifax bombers was downed, instantly killing all 7 crew members onboard, including Flight Sergeant George Mercier Edwards from Kingston, Jamaica. The crew were initially buried in a shallow grave close to the crash site but were reinterred in the Commonwealth graves plot in Helleland Churchyard, Rogaland, Norway at the end of the war with full military honours. This is just one of many tragic stories of those from foreign shores who came to the defence of the UK in its hour of need, may we never forget their acts of heroism and sacrifice.
The Anthem They Are At Rest
Edward Elgar
They are at rest; We may not stir the heaven of their repose By rude invoking voice, or prayer addrest in waywardness to those Who in the mountain grots of Eden lie, And hear the fourfold river as it murmurs by. And soothing sounds Blend with the neighbouring waters as they glide; Posted along the haunted garden's bounds, Angelic forms abide, Echoing, as words of watch, o'er lawn and grove The verses of that hymn which Seraphs chant above. They are at rest. The Prayers To the bidding: Lord in your mercy Please respond: Hear our prayer An Act of Commitment Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our neighbours; that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations. Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves to serve you and all humanity, in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering, and for the praise of your name. Guide us by your Spirit; give us wisdom; give us courage; give us hope; and keep us faithful now and always. Amen
The Blessing God grant to the living grace, the departed rest, the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth and all the world peace and concord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. As we remain silent, the Colour Party leaves the Memorial Court. Then, as the Choir sings Poppies are laid at the War Memorial. Psalm 84: 1-13 1 O how amiable | are thy | dwellings: thou | Lord | of | hosts! 2 My soul hath a desire and longing, to enter into the | courts . of the | Lord: my heart and my flesh re- | joice . in the | living | God. 3 Yea the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest where she may | lay her | young: even thy altars O Lord of hosts, my | King | and my | God. 4 Blessed are they that | dwell . in thy | house: they will be | alway | praising | thee. 5 Blessed is the man whose | strength . is in | thee: in whose | heart | are thy | ways. 6 Who going through the vale of misery, | use it . for a | well: and the | pools are | filled with | water. 7 They will go from | strength to | strength: and unto the God of gods appeareth every | one of | them in | Sion. 8 O Lord God of hosts | hear my | prayer: hearken | O | God of | Jacob. 9 Behold O | God . our de- | fender: and look upon the | face of | thine A- | nointed. 10 For one day | in thy | courts: is | better | than a | thousand 11 I had rather be a door-keeper in the | house . of my | God: than to | dwell . in the | tents of . un- | godliness. 12 For the Lord God is a | light . and de- | fence: the Lord will give grace and worship, and no good thing shall he withhold from them that | live a | godly | life. 13 O Lord | God of | hosts: blessed is the man that | putteth . his | trust in | thee. Glory be to the Father | and . to the | Son: and | to the | Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and | ever | shall be: world without | end. | A- | men.
REMEMBER THESE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES 1939-1945
Austin Thompson † John Byron † William Reynolds † Denys Bent † Reginald Martin † Gerald Townend † Frederick Maggs † Arthur Seymour † Francis Chester † Edward Minter † Norman Potter † Hilary Caldwell † Ronald Fyfe † John Haselden † James Jeans † Martin Hunt † Harold Hobday † Brian Carson † Peter Witney † William Holmes † Thomas Dawkins † Philip Hunter † Alister Percy † John Dewar † Arthur Harre † David Jackson † Emil Thiede † Robert Baker † Patrick Preston † Harold Smith † Kenrick Charnaud † Eric Megaw † Brian Taylor † Denis Collyer † Edward Hill † Ian Hyde † Lewis Linell † Reginald Powell † James Roberts † Robert Hughes-Chamberlain † Jeffrey Bavington Jones † Charles Mackness † John Wilson † Henry Cook † Arnold Egerton-Jones † John Hobson † Reginald Stevens † Gregory Wood † Graham Cook † Geoffrey Maxted † James Minett † Paul Roberts † Tom Rundle † Noel Cooper † Lionel Kennan † Douglas Maughan-Taylor † John Royle † Charles Wallis † Henry Dann† Robert Ireland † Amyas Northcote † Harry Williams † Keith Wood † Harold Chandler † John Graham † Martin Miles † James Scholfield † Desmond Wade † Nigel Fraser † Alexander Kinnaird † John Massé † Harry Reynolds † Charles Thompson † Edwin Wright † John Barber † Richard Beale † Norman Chandler † Roy Durie † David King † Derek Owen † William Sampson † John Sargent † Michael Savage † David Agnew † Derrick Alexander † Donald Glennie † Alan Lindsell † Miles Sargent † Basil Walsh † Basil Bonham-Carter † Peter Bowen † Lindsay Cann † Robert Holden † John Sidebotham † Lionel Williams † John Baker † Peter Dowman † Desmond Neve † Edward Oxspring † John Robinson † George Smythe † John Vane † John Wayland † William Beeston † Bernard de la Perrelle † Alan Dunlop † David Hatton † William Hinds † David Kennedy † Charles MacDougall † Peter MacDougall † Geoffrey Morris † John Norris † Dominic Page † Peter Taylor † Jeffrey Towers † Gerard Armstrong † Jeffrey Cremer † William Gulloch † Oliver Johnson † Geoffrey Leigh † John Rowbotham † Arthur White † Donald Willsdon † Dickson Armstrong † George Baker † Michael Ellis Peter Beard Junior King’s School Master Norman Sims Groundsman