Remembering the lives of the fallen
Students got an insight into the real lives behind the names listed on two Redcar war memorials at Redcar and Cleveland College’s annual Remembrance Service.
The event focuses on the 103 Old Boys of Sir William Turner’s School who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.
Their names are engraved on the Celtic Cross on the outer corner of the grounds on Corporation Road and a memorial plaque within the college.
In a tradition now in its 104th year, a dedicated service at the college sees students, staff and visitors pay tribute to the fallen, and in recent years hear some of the small but important details that made up the individuals’ everyday lives.
“It means so much more to have that situational awareness of who those people were,” said policing student, Ash, 20, who was among the speakers during the service, choosing to pay tribute to the animals who also served and lost their lives in the conflicts.
For Ash and classmates like her, to understand that many of the names listed on the memorials were young people and students of a similar age, certainly packs a punch.
Evelyn, 17, said: “A name can be just a name, but when you hear some of their back story, it becomes a real person with a life.”
Bringing all these messages home is historian and former lecturer at Sir William Turner’s Sixth Form, Peter Chester.
Regularly sharing his research on the Old Boys, he said: “For me this service is not about remembering the dead, it is about remembering those who were once living.”
This year he explained his message was about duty, service and sacrifice – something we still see in society today.
Eric Howden BEM, president of the Redcar branch of the Royal British Legion, also plays an integral part in proceedings.
He said: “It’s very important in this day and age that we do remember, particularly when we have conflicts going on around the world.
“That’s why it’s nice to see the students at the college service not just listening but also playing a part.”
Following the service an Honour Guard led the congregation from the college to the Celtic Cross War Memorial where guests laid wreaths and wooden crosses bearing the names of the Old Boys.
Some 48 Old Boys lost their lives in the First World War and 55 during the Second World War.
Redcar and Cleveland College principal Sarah Johnson said: “It is a real privilege to play a part in this Remembrance event that has such close and immediate ties to our community.
“The service offers our students and staff an opportunity not only to pay their respects to those who lost their lives but also recognised the impact such loss would have had, and continues to have over 100 years later, here in Redcar and Cleveland.”
