On Tuesday 11th November, we held our annual Remembrance Day Assembly to commemorate and honour the efforts and sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces to ensure the safety and freedom of others, as well as looking at the overarching impact on the Latymer community. 

After a reflective opening speech from the Headteacher Mr Gilford, Sixth Form student Frankie delivered readings from Micah 4:2-3 and John 15:13, paying tribute to all those who bravely lost their life as a result of conflict. 

Mr Gilford then read out a list of names, remembering the service given by Latymerians who fell during both World War I and World War II: 

• Victor Sharpen, 1911-14, Army. Killed in action in France, 1918.
• Frank Smith, 1929-34, Royal Navy. Killed in action in a submarine, 1942.
• Quinton Livingston-Smith, Master, Army. Killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, aged 26.
• Jack Snelling, 1930-35, RAF. Died of tuberculosis in 1947, contracted while on active service. 
• Thomas Snelling, 1926-31, Army. Died in Japanese Prisoner of War Camp in Singapore, 1942. 
• Sidney Stokes, 1922-27, Army. Killed in action in Normandy, 1944.
• Victor Streater, 1920-26, RAF. Died in Japanese Prisoner of War Camp, 1944.
• H M Stringer, 1929-34, Army. Killed in action, North West Europe in 1944.
• Basil Tack, 1930-35, Army. Killed in action in Italy in 1943.
• Alec Tattersall, 1928-31, Army. Killed in action in North Africa, 1943.
• Stanley Watson, 1928-34, Army. Died of wounds received, 1947.
• John Waymark, 1931-35, Army. Killed in action in Italy in 1944. 
• Leslie Webber, 1930-35, Army. Died in a Prisoner of War Camp, 1944. 
• Norman Welsford, 1929-33, Army. Died of wounds following a coal mining accident in a Prisoner of War Camp in Malaya, 1944. 
• Kenneth Welsh, 1938-39, RAF. Killed in action over Stuttgart, 1944.
• Gwyn Williams, 1930-36, RAF. Killed in action over the Ruhr 1942. 
• Sidney Williams, 1936-38, Merchant Navy. Killed by enemy action, 1942. 
• Bryan Wrampling, 1926-31, RAF. Killed in action over Berlin in 1941. 
• Reginald Wright, 1928-33, Army. Killed in action Northern France, 1944. Buried in Edmonton Cemetery. 
• George Whitehead. Student at the Old Latymer on Church St, Army. Killed in action 1918. 

Following this, 'In Flanders Field' and a Derek Jewel poem were delivered by students Billy and Zoha respectively, with a reading of 'We will remember them' by Mr Pannell, the current longest serving teacher at school. 

This was before a moving rendition of 'The Last Post', performed by Jimmy, Year 10 student, after which a minute's silence was observed. After this period of reflection, Jimmy returned to play 'Reveille', a more spirited and upbeat piece to mark the times for optimism during conflict and moving forward. 

The assembly then concluded with a poignant speech by Mr Grassick, Deputy Headteacher, touching on both the importance of gratitude to those who gave their lives, but also the importance of carrying forward their legacy by living with compassion. 

Students and staff were then played out to a performance of 'God Grant with Grace' by Thomas Tallis from the Chamber Choir, a more than fitting way to end a morning of commemoration and contemplation.

The entire school also observed a two-minute silence at 11am, to coincide with the time in 1918 at which the First World War came to an end.