Great Yarmouth Charter Academy Honours Heroes: A Heartfelt Remembrance on Armistice Sunday

On Sunday 10th November, over 200 pupils and their families from Great Yarmouth Charter Academy joined over 1000 people who attended the town's war memorial Sunday remembrance service to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.

The event was held in St George's Park, and was the culmination of a week of Poppy sales and fundraising at the school, owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy. The service was led by the Bishop of Thetford Revd Ian Bishop joined by Canon Simon Ward, who is the town's rector, and it aimed to commemorate the fallen, including 110 boys who previously walked the classrooms and corridors of the school who died in the line of duty and support the armed forces community.

The town was represented by pupils who attended as army cadets, Cristina and Nadia, the senior head pupils, St John's Ambulance, air cadets, and naval cadets. The pupils stood solemnly as an assembly of Charter’s senior House Leaders, joined alumni in laying wreaths with John Stephens Director of Music and Sean Powell, Senior Vice Principal, at the towns war memorial in St George’s Park. Over a dozen pupils regularly attend the Combined Cadet Force and participated in the 221 Squadron parade which began the annual memorial service with their parade through the town. Together, pupils joined their families to sing “I Vow to Thee my County” before prayers closed the service.

Nadia said,

"We came here today as a school community to remember those who sacrificed for our freedom. We will never forget their bravery and sacrifice."

Harry Love, an alumni of the school, represented the school as the Mayor’s Cadet in laying one of the first wreaths. He proudly recited the Kohima Epitaph before the town joined to reaffirm their commitment to the service and remembrance of those who fought for us all. Harry said,

"It's an honour to be here and pay our respects to the fallen soldiers. We must never forget their sacrifice and always strive to uphold the values they fought for."

The remembrance service was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have fought for our country. The pupils and staff of Great Yarmouth Charter Academy left the service with a renewed sense of gratitude and respect for those who have served and continue to serve our nation