A sombre mood toped the steeples of Lancing College early last Sunday morning at the annual Remembrance chapel service. The Chapel was overflowing with students, teachers, members of the public and parents alike. The College cadet force (CCF) lined the aisles of the chapel in nervous anticipation for the role they were about to play in the biggest service of the year.

Beneath the vaulted ceiling of the nave the service began with wreath and banner bearers walking to the alter closely followed by the highest ranking officers in the CCF contingent. The wreaths, banners and flags were placed ceremoniously around the alter as the priest and provost followed at the back of the procession with members of the school sacristan team.

This year the sermon was given by The Right Reverend Jonathan Meyrick, an old boy from Lancing College.  The school CCF stood to attention as the Last Post was played, echoing around the sandstone walls of the chapel.  As the service continued hymns were sung, prayers were read and a solo was sung by Raphael Bellamy Plaice who has recently won the BBC Young Chorister of the Year award.  The military charity supported this year was the ‘The Royal British legion’ and ‘The Refugee Crisis Appeal of Christian Aid’ for the non-military charity.

As the service came to an end the congregation proceeded to move outside the chapel where the wreaths were finally taken to the war memorial cloister, remembering all the Lancing boys who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2 after they left their sixth form year to go and fight in a foreign country. The CCF once more stood to attention and marched out of the Rose garden followed by the public and parents signalling an end to another very moving remembrance service.

Harry Fisher

Lancing College