Shiplake Remembers

Shiplake College’s Acts of Remembrance spanned the entirety of the weekend, and came to a close yesterday at the Shiplake Cross.

From Thursday 9 November, pupils, staff and members of the Shiplake community came together to celebrate 100 years since the end of WWI. On Thursday, members of the School community were treated to an artistic project by the Year 7 and 8 Art Club. Year 8 Tom Mackworth-Praed said the following:

‘Over the last month in Art club, we have been creating amazing individual poppies out of cupcake cases and tissue paper. We have probably made over 300 in total. The Rev asked us to create this display for the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War. We wanted each poppy to symbolize a different person who died in the war. The Head Chapel Warden Daniel Anstey, along with year 7 pupils, helped create the big 100 sign out of the poppies. I think the display looks really good and has a big impact in the hall and will get everyone hopefully remembering and talking about it. It's now up for a week before the remembrance service next Sunday 11th November.’

On Friday morning, Mr Brown placed 32 crosses on the grassy verge opposite Skipwith House. These crosses represent each of the 32 Shiplake men who died in WWI. Among these men was Major Cecil Harrison, son of Robert Harrison, the original owner of Shiplake Court (Skipwith House), before it became Shiplake College. Major Cecil Harrison was born in 1878 and was appointed to the Rifle Brigade in 1898. He became Lieutenant in April 1900 and was promoted to Captain in 1904, while in India. He was promoted to Major in 1914, and was killed in action at Nueve Chapelle just three and a half months later.

Later in the day, the whole school came together for our annual Remembrance Service. All 477 pupils assembled at the foot of Skipwith Tower as Reverend Stephen Cousins, Head Chapel Warden Daniel Anstey and Deputy Oscar Rait delivered bible readings on the importance of remembering those who died during the First and Second World Wars. The Last Post and Reveille were delivered fantastically by Year 12 Bobby Howard-Jones, and the flag was raised by ex-serviceman Tosh Farnborough.

On Saturday, the 1st XV and their opponents Mill Hill School, observed a minute silence before the kick-off of their match.

On Sunday 11 November, at 10.45am Oscar Rait welcomed visitors to the Remembrance Service in the Great Hall before the congregation sang a hymn while the banner was brought in by members of the School’s CCF Corp. After the hymn, the College wreath was brought in to be received by the Head Chapel Warden Daniel Anstey at the altar. Lieutenant Commander Lawson (Mr. Lawson, Biology) led the Act of Remembrance before the two-minute silence and Last Post, delivered again by Bobby Howard-Jones.

The School Camerata perfomed For The Fallen by Douglas Guest before Rev’d Cousins led the prayer. An address was given by Mr Gregg Davies, where he talked about women’s roles in the War effort and the sacrifices they made. Other highlights included the National Anthem and a further rousing performance by the Camerata.

At midday, the College Wreath was laid by Head of College Josh Howard and Head Chapel Warden Daniel Anstey at the Shiplake War Memorial. This was among other wreaths which represent the other communities in the village.