Remembrance Week 2023
As we enter the month of November, we have been commemorating those who lost their lives in the line of duty during both World Wars and subsequent conflicts. It’s been a time for Marlborough College Malaysia to gather as a community and remember the sacrifices made during times of war and think of those who are still involved in ongoing conflict.
Pupils have come together across the school to pay their respects in many ways including assemblies, observing a two-minute silence and by organising a choir to sing at the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore.
Senior School Assembly
On Wednesday 8th November, Senior School pupils gathered in the Wykeham Hall alongside beaks to commemorate the fallen. The key theme of the assembly was service and what this means to each individual. The pupils heard from beaks who had served in the military and those whose family had fought on the front line. Several pupils bravely spoke about their great-grandparents who served in wars and family members who returned from battle physically but struggled emotionally. Poetry was shared and animals that played their part in the war were also honoured. The key throughout the assembly was serving and helping those around us before we serve ourselves. It was a heartfelt assembly that was later followed by a minute’s silence.
Remembrance Dawn Service
On Friday 10th November, the College held the Dawn Remembrance Service. The service took place on Court and honoured those who gave their lives for their country during World War One and subsequent conflicts. In attendance were day and boarding pupils, beaks and parents.
The Remembrance Service started with an introduction from the Master. He spoke of the sacrifices made in the past so that our society could live life freely. It was followed by readings from Jasmine Wright, Zaid Muhanad Khairum and Bryan Chan, while Juliette Bhogal performed Schindler’s List on the violin. It was a touching performance and set the tone for Mr. Harkins to deliver ‘The Kohima Epitaph’. At 7am, the lament, ‘The Flowers of the Forest’ was played on the bagpipes by Mr. McDiarmid. As the tune faded into the dawn mist Remove boarder, Olivier Bhogal, played ‘The Last Post’ on the balcony followed by a minute of sombre silence before ending with ‘The Reveille’. The Master and Mr. Gough laid a wreath on our Cenotaph on behalf of the College and another on behalf of the Old Marlburians. Boarding pupils also placed crosses in memory of Old Marlburians lost during the First and Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
Prep Remembrance
Following the Dawn Remembrance Service, Pre-Prep and Prep pupils held a Remembrance Service of their own. The service started with Mrs. Eaton-Jones reminding pupils about the importance of remembering conflicts and honouring those that served. She mirrored the Master’s thoughts from the Dawn service and told pupils that if it were not for the brave sacrifices made by those in war, we would not able to call Marlborough College Malaysia home today. Afterwards, the Prep Orchestra played hymns and pupils shared poetry that was particularly poignant. The service finished with a message from Mr. Cassidy who spoke about past conflicts and gave pupils a message that the freedom of the future depends on remembering the past and treating each other with compassion. The service was closed with a minute’s silence.
There will also be a chance for pupils, beaks and families from MCM to gather together on Sunday 12th November at the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore for the traditional Remembrance Day Service.
