from left to right - Tony O’Brien, Public Service students, Rugby Deputy Mayor, Cllr Bill Lewis, Rugby College acting chaplain Lesley Turner and Head of Public Service department, Sam Starvis
Public Services students from Rugby College and pupils from Boughton Leigh Junior School, joined together to process from Rugby College to the British Thomson-Houston War Memorial on Technology Drive, with over a hundred parents, teachers and local residents, joined in the ceremony to remember the young men and women who died in action in the service to their countries.
A short service was conducted by Rugby College acting chaplain Lesley Turner, with poppy wreaths laid before the two minute silence. This was followed by students from both establishments reading poems to the assembled crowd. The Public Services students also created displays commemorating the twelve thousand 17 to 24 year-old men and women from Warwickshire.
Reece Pepper, 17, from Rugby said: “Whilst I don’t intend to join the military after completing my course, I see all public service organisations as part of a big team. Today gave me the opportunity to honour not just those who died to ensure we have the rights and freedoms that so many take for granted, but to share my thanks and to remind everyone of the safe and secure future we have ahead for us.”
Balash Fas, 16, from Rugby said: “Taking part in the service has made me realise how brave the young men and women were. The poems that were read out were a fitting tribute, and the whole experience has inspired me to keep their memory alive by working hard both academically, and to make a difference wherever I can.”
Paula Duynstee, Headteacher for Boughton Leigh Junior school, said: “Every year our year 6 pupils walk to the memorial to pay their respects on behalf of BLJS. The children share poems or prayers they have written in school. Remembering those who made us free is very important to the children, especially this year. We are very proud of the respect and consideration the children have for others.”
Rugby Deputy Mayor, Cllr Bill Lewis said: “I thank Rugby College for Mayor, Cllr Tom Mahoney invitation to the memorial service. It was an honour for me to deputise for the Mayor at the service and receive a visit around the college. There I viewed a display prepared by students attending the Public Services course which recorded the stories of Victoria Cross soldiers from Warwickshire. The students had clearly undertaken a great deal of research in order to prepare the display. I was very impressed with the number of students from Rugby College and pupils from Boughton Leigh Junior School and their parents who were at the memorial service on such a cold windy morning.
“The college chaplain ended the service with the dedication, ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today’, which was very fitting.”
Tony O’Brien, public services lecturer said, “I am very proud of our public services students, who organised a fantastic tribute to mark the centenary of the end of World War One.
“It was great to have the support from the local community, who turned out in their hundreds to pay tribute along with school children to ensure we continue to remember, and never forget the sacrifices made by previous generations who fought for our freedom.”
For more information about courses at Rugby College, an open day will be held on Wednesday 23 January 2019, to book a place visit www.wcg.ac.uk/events or call 0300 456 0049 to find out more.
