Remembrance Service 2021

The 11th November marks the annual Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day, a day for remembering those who have given their lives to protect and serve their country. This year’s Remembrance Day is the 100th anniversary of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. Poppies are closely linked with the First World War, when they flourished upon the churned up No Man’s Land and they were the inspiration for the well-known poem, In Flanders Fields. 

The poppy, therefore, was the focus this year of the pupil-led online assembly in both Senior and Prep Schools. Throughout the College, a minute’s silence was observed as an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made during conflict. 

On Sunday the 14th November, a dawn memorial service was held on Court for all the boarders. This service included beautiful readings from the Senior Prefects and boarders. The service was a wonderful memorial to those who, both within the MCM community and beyond, sacrificed their today for our tomorrow. 

Traditionally the Sunday Memorial Service is held at Kranji, in Singapore where, due to COVID-19 restrictions, this is no longer open to the public. However, the College Choir recorded the hymn The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended, which was played at Kranji during the service. 

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

‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon