Gone but not forgotten: Remembrance 2023

This years’ Remembrance service at RGS has been a particularly significant one. 2023 marks the centenary of our Organ, unveiled in 1923 as a memorial to those Old Novocastrians who fell during the First World War. This November, we are also proud to unveil two new plaques for the Roll of Honour, containing 17 names of those lost who were not previously commemorated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the course of the last year, extensive research has been undertaken into our Second World War Roll of Honour, made possible with the invaluable help of Old Novo David Goldwater. Alongside our School Archivist, during their research they discovered eight Old Novos missing from the WWII roll of honour, and seven from WWI. The Old Novo community also provided information on two individuals fallen on active military service post-1945. 

Two new panels for the organ were commissioned, hand-made by master carvers. They were generously funded by an Old Novocastrian. The seventeen names added are as follows: 

WWI 

Gordon Kent 

Boyce M.S. MacKenzie (Staff) 

Alfred P. Parmeter 

Francis R.B. Parmeter 

William A. Pritchard 

George Robinson 

Sayed M. Shehata 

WWII 

James R. Askew 

Charles B. Marshall 

Basil V. Robinson 

Kenneth A. Robinson 

David Stringer 

Harry Waggott 

Geoffrey H. Walker 

Ernest A. Walker 

Post-1945 

Peter M. Hoare 

Graham M. Young 

 

Their names will live on in the RGS Hall, a special place in school known well by almost all of those commemorated.  

A digital Roll of Honour has also been launched on our new RGS Archives catalogue. Researchers can now find out about each person named on the Organ, some with detailed narratives on their military service. Where possible, photographs of the fallen have been included. Their stories are poignant, awe-inspiring and heart-breaking. 

RGS marked our day of Remembrance on Friday 10th November. Flags lined the Hall, bearing the faces of 16 fallen Old Novocastrians, including some of the newly commemorated individuals. A new permanent display board on the Organ gives context and has portrait photographs of many of the fallen, taken during their time here at RGS.  

The whole school attended a special assembly. Members of our CCF had important ceremonial roles including flag-bearing and laying wreaths of poppies at the organ. Our Head of History Mr. Tyreman, gave a poignant speech, focusing us on the devastating impact of conflicts since 1914, as well as the stories of some of the Old Novos who gave their lives in them. The musical performances by the Senior Choir, Chamber Choir and soloists throughout were truly beautiful to hear. 

A huge thank you to all the staff, students and Old Novos who contributed to this incredibly special day at RGS.