In 1919 the nation first observed the “perfect stillness” of a two-minute silence, ordered by King George V to remember the fallen of the First World War. The promise never to forget was renewed today at RGS. In a ceremony that has barely changed, the whole school gathered in the Quadrangle this morning and stood in respectful silence for our Annual Service of Remembrance.

We were honoured to have Flight Sergeant Georgina Smith, Invictus and Warrior Games Medalist and Women in Defence Award Winner, present a wreath in memory of our OW casualties of war during the morning's service. 

At the heart of the ceremony as ever, was the familiar and always-moving two-minute silence, the wreath laying, the readings by the Headmaster, Head Boy and Deputy Headmaster, prayers from the Chaplain and the solemn contemplation of so much sacrifice and loss.

These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Daniel Ressell, Year 11.

We wear our poppies with pride

RGS has a long history of association with the armed forces, dating back to 1909 when the School’s Officers’ Training Corps (OTC) was founded. Our highly decorated OW war veterans, Frederick Youens and Ian Fraser, who fought in the First and Second World War respectively, continue to be an inspiration to us all, and a source of pride. Both were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award ‘for gallantry in the face of the enemy’ that a serviceman in the British and Commonwealth forces can aspire to attain.

"Great deeds have been done: great sacrifices made." 
Mr G.W Arnison, RGS Headmaster, 1945