Remembrance Day at Aldenham

This year’s memorial service was unlike any other. In a scaled down ceremony, representatives from the School joined a small number of others from the local community including faith leaders and a representative of Hertsmere Council to record the service and for the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial in Letchmore Heath for Remembrance Sunday.

The service went live on YouTube on Sunday 8 November. It was led by Rev Robert Fletcher and Headmaster Mr James Fowler gave the reading. Rev Jos Perris, School Chaplain, provided a reflection and Assistant School Chaplain, Revd Philip Green, led the prayers. Our Headmaster along with Head Boy and Head Girl from Aldenham Senior School, CCF cadet James Stephenson and Head of Aldenham Prep School Mrs Vicky Gocher with the Head Boy and Head Girl, all laid wreaths in the morning sunshine.

The whole school community, like others across the country, observed the 2-minute silence to mark the armistice signed in 1918 at “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”. A pre-recorded short service was shown to all pupils in school at the same time as a small service which was held in the School Chapel for sixth formers and members of staff. This was followed by the tolling of the chapel bell 288 times to remember those past students and staff who had lost their lives in WW1 and WW2.

Marble tablets in the School Chapel are a constant memorial to those Old Aldenhamians whose lives were so sadly cut short in both wars.