Remembrance is when we take time to honour the people who serve to defend our freedoms and keep us safe. We also remember the families of people who serve and the unique sacrifices they make. 

11am on the 11th of November marks the end of the First World War in 1918,  but sometimes we can forget that Remembrance Day is an opportunity to remember and give thanks to all who have served in wars, not just the First World War. In our Remembrance assembly this year, Dr Wallace , our Head of History, lead us on sharing about the role of the British Army today as the British Legion, who organise the poppy appeal every year, do some great work in helping those who have served and their families.

Here is what the British Legion defines as their role on their website. They talk of the need to honour those people who defend our freedoms and keep us safe, and also their families. The focus is very much about those who serve today as well as remembering those who served years ago.

The British Army today is a key branch of our armed forces. Their purpose is to fight and win wars on land, to defend the UK and to promote prosperity around the world. At the moment the main focus of the British Army is to promote prosperity. The British Army is currently deployed across the world and the current main areas of deployment are in Africa, Cyprus, Iraq and Estonia. In these areas there are about 3000 British soldiers serving our country.

So here is a reminder of the purpose of the British Legion and the help us provide for this important charity when we buy a poppy.

Mr Rout, our Director of Finance & Operations shared with us his previous career in the army. He also read the following poem during our Assembly before our two minute silence 

Remembered Still Those Souls, Ernie Rowe

Remembered still those souls who tried

To save the world, but many died.

A moment stolen for a tear, 

As we recall those unlived years.

The camaraderie that flew those souls back home to those they knew,

And loved them dear and held them close

But for our sakes released to foes

The silence that they leave behind

Is space to calm the troubled minds of those they loved – 

And can’t rewind.

Again this day we give our thanks

For those returned from serving ranks

And then ‘as gave it all away

Forever in our minds will stay.

Lest we forget