Armistice Day Service

On Friday 9th November 2018, the school’s annual commemorations of its contributions to war efforts focused on the First World War, one hundred years since the Armistice.

The proceedings started with pupils planting one hundred ‘beautiful, individual, uniquely crafted’ poppies made by fourth form, remove and lower sixth (led by Lucinda Randell and supported by Jade Stoller) in front of the chapel, accompanied by a reading of Seigfried Sassoon’s ‘Aftermath’.

This was followed by the traditional ceremony in front of the 1919 Gate of Honour. Pupils, staff, Old Millhillians and observers on the Ridgeway stood to hear the Last Post, the

Head Mrs Sanchez reading of an extract from John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’, and observe the two minutes’ silence, before pupils, staff and Old Millhillians filed through the Gate.

Afterwards, while the lower school attended assemblies, the Chaplain Dr Warden led a moving chapel service for sixth formers, Old Millhillians and other guests. In addition to the Kohima Epitaph, hymns, choral pieces, and readings including John McCrae’s ‘In Flanders Fields’, a memorable highlight was the projection of photographs of the one hundred and ninety three Millhillians who sacrificed their lives in the war, as their names were read out by the Head.

It was written in the School magazine from December 1918 that “The whole [thanksgiving] service made a very deep impression.” This one was no different.

To conclude the commemorations, there was a special Friday lunchtime recital of Elgar’s 1918 sonata for piano and violin, and ‘Nimrod’ as an encore, performed by Old Millhillians Zany Denyer (McClure 2018) and Samuel Chadwick (Priestley 2017). Witnessing this memorable centenary, we were pleased to welcome around forty Old Millhillians, ranging from ages eighteen to eighty.