Downs Junior School Remembrance Service

Click on each photo in the gallery to open a large version in a new page.

An honour for the school

I am delighted that Downs Junior School was asked to host this year’s schools Remembrance Service for the second successive year. For all present last year’s service proved a school highlight and one that we were very keen to repeat this year.

Local landmark

The school building is a local landmark, well known for its links with the Second World War, particularly as under its playgrounds it houses air raid shelters still in remarkably good condition considering their age. Therefore I believe it to be a fitting venue for such an important occasion and certainly something that many of the children will remember for years to come.

Distinguished guests

It’s a wonderful opportunity for the children to witness so many distinguished guests dressed in their ceremonial outfits, including the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, the Mayor of Brighton and Hove, local MPs, The Chief Constable of Sussex Police, the Chief Fire Officer of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and members of the Royal British Legion present.

Links with both World Wars

Also it’s incredible to realise that we still maintain a link with the First and Second World Wars through friends of Henry Allingham (who died a few years ago aged 113) and Patrick Kinna (Winston Churchill’s secretary) who still support this event. Both attended the Whitehawk Primary School Remembrance services..

Participation in the event

The children also get a chance to participate, many as Standard Bearers but also reading poems and providing music. Two children from each of our sixteen classes also act as wreath layers, the wreaths being made by the pupils themselves.

 

Comments about this page

  • It was a great pleasure for me to be the Parade Marshal for the second year. The head teacher can be very proud of his children that took part as Standard Bearers and escort to me. Myself and Mr Dudley Button have been doing this for the last 7 years that is 5 years at Whitehawk Primary School and the last 2 years at the Downs School.It has been a great pleasure to work with both schools, and I hope this will carry on in future years.

    By Tony Avery (11/11/2011)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.