Remembrance Day 2007

The Memorial Hall, in which our School services are held, was built as a memorial to staff and former pupils who gave their lives in the Great War, and now serves as a memorial to those members of the Merchiston Community who lost their lives in the two World Wars. The plaques at the entrance to the Hall bear the names of the 258 men who lost their lives: 177 in the First World War, 81 in the second.

During the act of Remembrance at this year’s Service, Duncan B played ‘Flowers of the Forest’ on the pipes, after which wreathes were laid at each of the plaques. Nicholas Blair, Leader of the Chaplaincy Team, then read the Words of Lawrence Binyon before the last post was played by Richard Lucas, and The Silence was observed. The Address was given by Dr Judith McClure, Head of St George’s School for Girls, and we also welcomed a number of girls from St George’s to the Service. Pupils of both Schools, representing 23 nations, then lit candles in an Act of Hope and Reconciliation. Readings came from Bruce Mustard, a moving rendition of the poem ‘10 Days Leave’, and Chairman of the Governors, J M Gourlay, who read from Ecclesiates.

We were honoured to have with us a number of Merchistonians who have served with the Armed Forces in campaigns around the world. JR Allan(31-33) Lt Col and Commander, achieving the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem; WA Craw (30-35) who served throughout the Second World War with the Cameronians, and as well as being a member of the BEF in 1940, saw action in India, Persia, Sicily, Italy and Germany; JS Crerar (27-32) who served as a Lieutenant in Burma with the Royal Artillery, JW Donaldson (40-49), KOSB 1950, 2 nd Lieutenant and member of the Black Watch Territorial Army; MSSB Green (40-44), who served in the Royal Navy 1944-48, JT Hutcheson (50-54) who served in the Royal Navy between 1955 and 1957 in Suez and Cyprus; JB Nicol (38-42) served in Anzio and Normandy as a member of the RNVR 1943-45.

WA Craw (1930-35) (far left)	JB Nicol (1938-42)