FROM ‘THE BRIDGE’ 1918/19… “The Armistice Day claims our first attention. Who will ever forget the excitement which reigned supreme when the maroons were heard booming out their joyful tidings? Or who will ever cease to marvel at the magic which in a moment transformed the dull sombre streets into one mass of fluttering flags and streamers? It was, indeed, a memorable occasion, and we realise how utterly inadequate is our pen for the task of appreciating its true significance. Moreover, we are still (at the moment of writing) in the uncertain period which lies between Armistice and complete Peace. We would wish it to be noted, therefore, that the brevity of this, our only reference to a historic event, in no way suggests that we underrate its importance, but rather that we understand our limitations and remember that Peace is not yet fully concluded.” “The War Office has thought fit, in consideration of the School’s fine record of war service, to present us with a captured German machine gun. This trophy has been mounted, and now adorns the platform of Big School. When it arrived it was in a particularly battered and decrepit condition, but by the application of sand paper and acid, administered by the C.S.M., it now has a ver presentable and war-like appearance. Even in its renovated state the presence of numerous hackings, shrapnel rents in the water jacket, etc., testify clearly to its record of rvery active service.” Lest We Forget In October, Key Stage 4 and 5 students visited the area around Ypres in Belgium to learn more about the experiences of soldiers in WWI and to see first hand some of the battle sites, cemeteries and memorials. It was a powerful insight into the scale of the number of people involved and a reminder that it really was a world war with soldiers from all over the British Empire commemorated. It was also poignant as there are seven KEVIHGS students who are buried or whose names are on the memorial walls around Ypres. Every night, the Last Post is played at a ceremony at the Menin Gate. This memorial bears the names of more than 54,000 soldiers who died before August 16th 1917 and who have no known grave. It is also home to the Indian Memorial for the 9300 soldiers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who were killed in Europe during WWI. This was a powerful ceremony as there were several hundred people there and it reminds you of the personal sacrifice of so many young men and their families. BELGIUM 16