Students from St. Mary’s College in Crosby turned out in force to support a number of Remembrance Day events this week.  The whole school took part in a special ceremony at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - the time in 1918 that the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare.  As part of this service, the college paid tribute to former pupils who have been killed in action. Their names are recorded on a plaque within the school building.  Staff and students observed a two-minute silence and were able to reflect on the poignancy of the occasion, bearing in mind the ongoing British losses in Afghanistan.  The Exultation was given by past pupil Major Jonathan Cunningham MBE, former Chief of Staff of 42 (North West) Brigade, the regional Army brigade for North West England and the Isle of Man.

Students from St. Mary’s were also involved in Sefton’s civic remembrance events.  40 members of the Combined Cadet Force took part in the ceremony at the Five Lamps memorial in Waterloo, and 33 musicians plus five more cadets from the school were involved in the ceremony at the war memorial in Alexandra Park in Crosby. The school band accompanied two hymns and also played during the wreath-laying ceremony.

Meanwhile, 25 St. Mary’s cadets also sold poppies in Liverpool city centre at the weekend.

Principal Mike Kennedy commented: “St. Mary’s has very close links with the armed forces because of the thriving cadet contingent which is based here at the school.  “For this reason, Remembrance Day is a very special event which gives the whole school community the opportunity to honour the courage and sacrifice of the British men and women killed during two World Wars and other conflicts.  “It was a real honour for our cadets and musicians to play such an important part in the civic Remembrance Day commemorations. They did themselves and St. Mary’s proud.”