St John’s College hosted their annual Remembrance Day Service to pay tribute to Old Johannians who passed away during the conflicts of the two world wars.
Spokesperson for the school Jacqui Deeks said, “It commemorates the deaths of the 60 Old Johannians who sacrificed their lives in World War I and of the 99 Old Johannians who paid the ultimate price in World War II. In addition, the service honours all the countless people who have died in military conflicts around the world over the last century.”
The service was held on 9 November in the St John’s College Memorial Chapel, which was built in the 1920s in honour of the Old Johannians who fell in World War I. Their names, as well as the names of those who perished in World War II, are carved into the wood panels of the All Souls Chapel adjoining the Memorial Chapel.
Deeks added, “The All Souls Chapel also houses the Delville Wood Cross, which honours the men who died in the Battle of Delville Wood in July 1916. Five OJs were killed in that battle. The names of all these Old Johannians are also recorded in a Book of Remembrance which is kept in the college museum.”
The service took the form of an Anglican mass, during which St John’s boys and staff alongside Old Johannians paid tribute through the act of remembrance. Wreaths were laid at the foot of the altar by Major General Lawrence Smith of the South African Army, headmaster Paul Edey, newly-elected head of school, Raymond Barrow and World War II veteran, Roger Stacey.
Deeks said, “Mr Stacey is a World War II veteran. He matriculated from St John’s College in 1939, having been a second lieutenant in the college cadet detachment. After having matriculated, he enlisted in the South African Army.”
The service concluded with the singing of the college’s Schola Cantorum.
Details: www.stjohnscollege.co.za
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