Remembrance 2020

On Friday 6 November we held our annual Remembrance Service to honour those Watsonians who lost their lives in the conflicts of the 20th century. 

Although modified due to current guidelines, the service was as powerful and poignant as ever. 

Volunteer S6 pupils read Watson's ‘Roll of Honour’, the list of names of Watsonians who fell in the First and Second World Wars and in the Korean War.

Our piper beautifully accompanied the procession’s walk to the War Memorial, playing Bloody Fields of Flanders. 

With the pupil council looking on, wreaths were laid at the School War Memorial by the President of the Watsonian Club, Johnny Bacigalupo, the School Captains, Maisie and Calum, and the Principal Melvyn Roffe. 

The ceremony was streamed live to pupils and staff across the school. 

Following the laying of the last wreath, our bugler played The Last Post, and a school-wide one minute silence was observed.

Both the piper and the bugler played, at a distance, by the remembrance oak tree planted in 2019 to mark the centenary of the end of WW1.

Richard Travers, Senior School Deputy Head said: “The need for social distancing meant that the S6 who would normally observe the service at the war memorial had to do so virtually, as did our guests. 

“The service this year focused on Watsonians who had served in the ‘Forgotten War’ in Asia. 

“We were still able to create a poignant tribute to Watsonians who have given their lives in conflict. 

“We were able to include the drum corps sounding in the corridor and the piper playing reveille as has been done since 1919 - this time the piper played socially distanced outside, but the effect  on those in the hall, pupils tuning in form rooms and the wider Watsonian community joining us through a live stream was just as moving.”

A record of Watsonians who served during WW1, WW2 and the Korean War is available on the website here.