National Remembrance: PGS CCF Pays Tribute

by Charlie Henderson

As part of the National Remembrance events, PGS’ CCF Contingent took part in two services. On Remembrance Sunday a squad of 20 cadets were given the honour of representing the school at Portsmouth’s official remembrance service on Guildhall Square, alongside veterans and serving representatives from the three service branches including the Royal Marines Band. The poignant service was led by the Dean of Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral and Father John Paul Lyttle of St John’s Roman Catholic Cathedral; with readings made by the other leaders of the city’s multiple faiths. Following the traditional two minutes silence, marked by gun fired from the naval base, wreathes were laid by Tom Cleary, the Senior Cadet of the RAF section and representatives from the Junior School.

On Armistice Day the following Tuesday, there was another ceremony in the quad led by Rev. Burtt in which the same squad of cadets took a leading role. The respective senior cadets of the three sections bearing the Union Flag formed a guard of honour alongside the House Captains, bearing the house flags. Following the main ceremony in the quad, the senior cadets and heads of section attended a wreath laying ceremony in the Memorial Library.