Carried out to remember the soldiers lost in war, specifically the First and Second World War, Remembrance Day is a staple event throughout many countries in the world, including but not limited to France, Belgium and Poland as well as England. It helps us to keep the soldiers’ sacrifice in mind and pay our respects ‘lest we forget’.  

At Christ’s Hospital, on Remembrance Day, we observe the two-minute silence after which, our chaplains, read out a prepared speech about the importance of the soldiers who gave their lives for us to live. They do this in front of the Quad and afterwards, a line of teachers, all sporting their poppies, respond to the chaplains’ speech in unison with the words, ‘We will remember,’.  

On Remembrance Sunday, we have a chapel service dedicated to this significant day with new programmes printed specifically for that mass. After the service, everyone, teachers and students alike, head out into the Quad to listen to the sound of a singular trumpet play ‘Last Post’. After this, the chaplains say a few words and the band plays the national anthem. The senior cadets also lay poppy wreaths at the foot of dining hall that show the school crest in the middle.  

The school has a long-standing history with the armed forces with many of its students fighting on the front line during the war. One such student was named Edward Felix Baxter. In 1914, Baxter was teaching at Skerry’s college in Liverpool, but he enlisted on 4 September and was commissioned into 1/8th King’s Regiment one year later. He received a Victoria Cross for disarming a live grenade in complete darkness successfully, preventing many casualties. Unfortunately, after he led the left storming party with great gallantry, he was never seen again. He most likely resides in an unmarked grave today.  

Remembrance Day is about reminding ourselves of the people brave enough to give up their lives in order to protect us. Some of these people might have never been found like Edward Felix Baxter, so it is imperative we remember everything they have done. In front of dining hall, Christ’s Hospital has a memorial detailing the names of the alumni who were lost in the great war. The school also offers an army bursary to any students whose parent or guardian serves in the armed forces. How will you try to remember them?