On Monday the 6th of November, Burntwood School respectfully placed poppies on the flag lawn to mark Remembrance Day. The crimson field was stained red for the rest of the week.
Every year we commemorate those who bravely perished trying to save their country. On the 8th November, the girls of Burntwood School were joined by a former soldier and Chelsea Pensioner. He marched into the hall accompanied by ‘The Last Post’. Trumpet sounds echoed in the main hall that morning; we were isolated in our thoughts. The Chelsea pensioner explained the importance and meaning of Armistice Day: the day when all gunfire stopped and weapons were laid on the floor to mark a truce between the allies.
Touched by the presence of an ex-soldier we listened intently and learnt all about the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Around 300 retired British soldiers, men and women, live in the retirement home located on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea, London. Among the many facts we learnt that day it was interesting to hear that you must be unmarried to live there. Perhaps by ‘unmarried’ the ex-soldier was referring to widowhood because many people lost their loved ones during the war. This made our hearts ache because so many innocent people are still being caught in violent crossfire today.
Despite being in the presence of an ex-soldier, the most memorable part of the day was when the pupils from Beatrix Potter Primary School joined Burntwood’s Community. Every year, Beatrix Potter join us to commemorate those lost in wars across the world, however this year, their assembly created a quiet, solemn atmosphere.
Reciting a war poem, the children made tears swell in all the teachers, students and headmistress’s eyes. To see such young children, have the courage to stand in front of 100s of students and perform, reminded us of all the young lives that were destroyed in this meaningless war.
At the end of the assembly we gave our condolences to every family in the world who had lost loved ones by observing a two-minute silence. The Chelsea pensioner proudly saluted us goodbye and Burntwood’s annual Armistice Day was over. The poppies were left blowing in the wind.
By Emilia Edgington
