Service of Remembrance

and Help for Heroes

Service of Remembrance

Each year, the entire Senior School and Sixth Form, accompanied by staff and many parents, gather in the College's magnificent Chapel to commemorate the sacrifice of both civilians and so many members of our armed forces in times of war.

Hurst's Service of Remembrance is always held on the morning of 11th November. This year we were marking the ending of major hostilities in World War I at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month exactly 91 years ago.

It is always a very moving service. The hymns, prayers and readings remind of the sacrifice of so many in our name and, as the Headmaster read out the name of every Hurst pupil who fell in WWI, a Sixth Former rose to stand. As Mr Manly finished the list and looked up, 112 Sixth Formers were standing, providing everyone present with a powerful image of the impact of war, not just upon the Hurst community but also upon so many communities up and down the land.

As the Last Post was sounded, we stood in silence and reflection for two minutes and then, as the last notes of Reveille echod throughout the Chapel, Headmaster Tim Manly and Head Boy Baran Ceylan laid wreaths on the Altar whilst the College Chaplain read the Kohima Epitath:

"When you go home, tell them of us and say
for your tomorrow, we gave our today"

The Preacher, Father Ian Colson, Chaplain of Christ's Hospital challenged all those present to consider what they can and should do, both as individuals and as a community, to promote peace in the world and brought home the reality of our present situation by revealing that he is currently awaiting being called up to serve in Afganistan.

Help for Heroes

One of Hurst's charities this year is "Help for Heroes". This was launched in 2007 in response to the desire of ordinary people to do something practical to help our wounded servicemen and women. They recognised that as individuals we are powerless to prevent war and unable to stop our men and women from being killed and wounded but that we can all take practical steps to help.

These sentiments struck a chord in the Hurst community. Hurst pupils believe that by raising money for 'Help for Heroes' they are doing their bit to enable the wounded to get the best help, support and futures that they deserve. By organising a 'non-uniform' day (on which everyone wore something red and contributed to the Charity), a Fun Run, foreign coin and mobile 'phone collection together with a variety of other initiatives, pupils have already raised over £5,000.

" ' Help for Heroes' is a strictly non political initiative" said the College Chaplain. "The charity is non-judgemental, recognising that that wars can happen under any government and has taken the decision not to dwell on 'rights and wrongs' but to get on with the vital job of supporting service men and women who have been damaged in conflict."

"It is this approach that has inspired our pupils to work so hard to help" said Headmaster, Tim Manly. "I hope that their example will inspire many other schools and youth groups to do something positive in support of our young service men and women".

Hurstpierpoint College has around 15 ex students currently serving in the Armed forces including some 6 or so in the Territorial Army who are on deployment. The College is proud of its tradition of Service and currently has some 240 students in its CCF which has Army, Air Force and Navy sections. It is also proud of its two most famous Old Boys - Former Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce (Now Baron Boyce of Pimlico in the City of Westminster) and Captain Nick Barton of the Army Air Corps who was awarded the sword of Honour at Sandhurst in 2001 and, more recently, the DFC for his bravery in Afganistan.