Remembrance Service Sunday 11Th November

On Sunday 11^th November, 100 years after the armistice was signed to end The Great War, 30 members of Christ College Combined Cadet Force took part in the Brecon Town Remembrance parade. Luckily avoiding the worst of the rain showers, the cadets marched smartly alongside soldiers from the Infantry Battle School.

Halting outside St Mary’s church, the cadets stood to attention as the mayoral party made their way from the Guildhall. After the two minutes silence, the CCF Contingent Commander, Maj Ian Owen was amongst the dignitaries from the town that laid poppy wreathes at the town War Memorial, whilst Cadet Sergeant Bowen carried the association standard of the Royal Welsh.

The parade then marched to Brecon Cathedral for a service led by the Dean of Brecon, and during the service wreaths were laid on behalf of the community and the Royal Welsh, by Cdt Sgt Bowen and Cdt LCpl Blagborough from the CFF. Concurrently the remainder of the CCF, under the Cadet RSM, participated in the School Remembrance service, with Cadet Sergeant Alp-Williams carrying the school Standard

The Christ College Remembrance service was conducted by the School Chaplain in a packed chapel of pupils, CCF members, Old Breconians and parents. Old Breconian Major Nader Rameshni (ret’d) delivered a very relevant sermon which spoke to old and young alike.

Following the service the congregation moved to the War Memorial where wreaths were laid by Senior Cadet, Archie Trevethan RSM (south-east face of the War Memorial for those who died 1939-45) The Head, Gareth Pearson (north-west face of the War Memorial for those who have died since 1945) Mr Jonathan Cooper, Senior staff CCF (north-east face for those who died during the inter-war period of 1918-1939) & Mr Rameshni (south west face of the War Memorial 1914-18)

All of the Old Breconian’s whom gave their lives were specifically remembered on separate crosses laid by individual pupils.

Gareth Pearson, Major (retd) Nader Rameshni (Orchard House 1983-88) and the Chaplain

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

Year 7 pupil Joseph attended the Llandaff Cathedral service with his family