Continuing a proud history of commemoration at Gordon’s School

Gordon’s School’s proud history of commemorating General Gordon’s life continued on Sunday with a simple Memorial Service in the school’s Chapel in West End, Surrey and wreath laying, in line with Lockdown restrictions.

While the student body, led by the school’s Pipes and Drums, would usually have stopped the traffic in Whitehall with their annual Parade to General Gordon’s statue on the Thames Embankment, Lockdown restrictions meant a much smaller affair within the school’s gates.

With a beautiful blanket of snow covering the school, around 30 Residential Boarders dressed in their Blues ceremonial uniform, and staff living onsite made their way to the Chapel for the Memorial Service conducted by the School Chaplain the Reverend Sarah Norbron. Readings, by the Head Girl Charlotte Hamilton and Head Boy Scott Ross, were recorded and delivered via a screen in the Chapel.

A wreath was then laid by Headmaster Andrew Moss at the statue of General Gordon overlooking the Front Field of the school.

Since the late 19^th Century the tradition has endured of commemorating the life of General Gordon, in whose name the School was founded. And the school, which is the National Memorial to Gordon, is the only one in the country permitted to march along Whitehall, an annual event, in his memory.

The Whitehall Parade would usually be followed by a Memorial Service attended by the whole school, together with staff and parents, at Guildford Cathedral.

Gordon’s Head Mr Moss commented: “It was disappointing not to be able to commemorate General Gordon’s life in the way we had hoped, but I am delighted that we were able to continue the tradition of a Memorial Service, that has spanned the centuries.”