Remembrance Day has been observed since the First World War to honour the many members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty.
Due to these unprecedented times, Surbiton High School wished to commemorate this special day, in accordance with the current government guidelines, by holding a unique assembly and ceremony to mark this annual memorial day.
The Remembrance Day assembly was led by the Head Girl Team who spoke about why this day is so important. They went on to share the popular and moving poem ‘For the Fallen’ by Lawrence Binyon, with each line read by a member of the HGT.
A further recorded ceremony took place during the two-minute silence, which involved a member from each School hanging up a poppy wreath underneath our ‘Lest We Forget’ sign at the Surbiton Assembly Rooms. It was a moving ceremony and touching tribute to honour this annual memorial day in a unique style whilst still under government guidelines. We will remember them.
FOR THE FALLEN
BY LAURENCE BINYON
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
