Yesterday, Tuesday 7 November 2017, Durban High School hosted Old Boys, Veterans, Members of the Defence Force, friends and staff of DHS and the Grade 8 learners, at the Annual Remembrance Service in lieu of Armistice Day.
The Service was dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives in the Boer War, First World War (1914-1918), World War II (1939- 1945), Korean Campaign as well as all those who have died in service since 1955.
All guests were handed a poppy to be worn over their hearts, and the meaning of this symbol was then explained by the Head Master A D Pinheiro, during his welcome.
According to tradition, the poppy has become known as the symbol of remembrance. It represents the battlefields which, before, had been bare wastes, and upon which poppies had sprung up after the land experienced bloodshed. It is a symbol carpeting the graves of men who died and from 1920 the poppy became known as the “flower of sacrifice and remembrance”, which is quite fitting an occasion such as this.
The lesson and homily was then addressed by Monsignor Paul Nadal who read through relevant scriptures from the Gospel of John, to give peace of mind to those who have lost loved ones.
This year, the names of 280 DHS Old Boys were read out from the Roll of Honour by Col Patrick Acutt, before 11 wreaths were laid at the memorial wall by Mr Pinheiro (DHS Head Master), Mr Louis Ardé (CEO of the DHS Foundation), and Zakariya Adam (2018 Head Prefect) on behalf of Durban High School, Lt Col Greg de Ricquebourg on behalf of Durban Light Infantry, Major Mark Levin, Major T Bolton on behalf of Umvoti Mounted Rifles, Mr Mark Linley on behalf of Paratrooper Veterans, Graeme Fuller on behalf of The South African Military History Society, Lt Col retd Bryan Dore’ on behalf of SA Legion of Military Veterans, Corporal Sergio Campos on behalf of Natal Mounted Rifles, Col Patrick Acutt, as well as Major Nick Lithgow on behalf of the SA Air Force Association (SAAFA) .
The last post was then performed by Trumpeter Sergeant-Major Gabriel Joseph followed by a two-minute silence, reveille and then prayer and benediction by Monsignor Paul Nadal, before the memorable ceremony came to a close.
DHS thanks all who attended as well as Pipe Major Stacy Grundy, who played the bagpipe s, and the DLI (affiliated to DHS) for the four sentries.
According to tradition, the poppy has become known as the symbol of remembrance. It represents the battlefields which, before, had been bare wastes, and upon which poppies had sprung up after the land experienced bloodshed. It is a symbol carpeting the graves of men who died and from 1920 the poppy became known as the “flower of sacrifice and remembrance”, which is quite fitting an occasion such as this.
The lesson and homily was then addressed by Monsignor Paul Nadal who read through relevant scriptures from the Gospel of John, to give peace of mind to those who have lost loved ones.
This year, the names of 280 DHS Old Boys were read out from the Roll of Honour by Col Patrick Acutt, before 11 wreaths were laid at the memorial wall by Mr Pinheiro (DHS Head Master), Mr Louis Ardé (CEO of the DHS Foundation), and Zakariya Adam (2018 Head Prefect) on behalf of Durban High School, Lt Col Greg de Ricquebourg on behalf of Durban Light Infantry, Major Mark Levin, Major T Bolton on behalf of Umvoti Mounted Rifles, Mr Mark Linley on behalf of Paratrooper Veterans, Graeme Fuller on behalf of The South African Military History Society, Lt Col retd Bryan Dore’ on behalf of SA Legion of Military Veterans, Corporal Sergio Campos on behalf of Natal Mounted Rifles, Col Patrick Acutt, as well as Major Nick Lithgow on behalf of the SA Air Force Association (SAAFA) .
The last post was then performed by Trumpeter Sergeant-Major Gabriel Joseph followed by a two-minute silence, reveille and then prayer and benediction by Monsignor Paul Nadal, before the memorable ceremony came to a close.
DHS thanks all who attended as well as Pipe Major Stacy Grundy, who played the bagpipe s, and the DLI (affiliated to DHS) for the four sentries.
