Bolton School commemorated Armistice Day with assemblies across the Foundation.
The Boys’ Division began the day with their Remembrance Assembly in the Great Hall. Led by Dr Holland, pupils and staff considered the end of the Second World War, following the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day earlier in 2025, and reflected on Churchill’s post-war speeches and their relevance in the modern day. In addition, four pupils commemorated five Old Boys who gave their lives towards the end of the Second World War: Leading Aircraftman Thomas Brian Graves, Flight Sergeant Maurice Clive Eddleston, Warrant Officer Kenneth Atkinson, Lieutenant Thomas Byron Blackett and Flight Lieutenant Jeremiah Charles Garnett. At the end of the assembly, the speakers and wreath bearers processed out to lay a trio of poppy wreaths at the Boys’ Division Memorial Window.
As 11 o’clock approached, the Girls’ Division gathered in the Great Hall for their commemoration. The service included the hymns ‘I vow to thee, my country’ and ‘Jerusalem’ and a musical interlude of ‘Remote Xianggelila by Ma Jingeng and Zhang Nan, performed by Hannah in Year 11, as well as an address about Bolton School in the Second World War from Mrs Wright. Mr Britton led a party of Girls’ Division pupils to lay a wreath at the Boys’ Division Memorial Window, and after Year 13 student Amy played the Last Post, a two-minute silence was held at 11 o’clock.
This year, Girls’ and Boys’ Division students who are Scouts and Cadets were invited to were invited to wear their uniform as a mark of respect on the day. There were members of the Scouts, Guides, St John’s Ambulance Cadets and 80th Bolton Air Cadets present.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Junior Schools also gathered separately around 11 o’clock to hold their own commemorations. Year 6 girls led the assembly at Hesketh House, which parents were invited to attend. They shared the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae and spoke about the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. The choir sang the moving song ‘We Will Remember Them ‘ by Jonathan Millican. At Park Road, the Junior Boys assembled in their hall for eleven o’clock for an assembly led by the Year 6 boys. As the Last Post sounded at 11 o’clock, representatives of the Cubs and Beavers processed in carrying the Union Flag and lowered it to half-mast. Junior Boys also laid a wreath on the school’s memorial bench, donated by Old Boy and WWII veteran Kenneth Lee. Both Junior Schools observed the two minute silence at 11 o’clock.
Alumni also returned to the school for the annual Remembrance Assemblies: Old Boys joined current pupils in the Boys’ Division Great Hall in the morning, while Old Girls congregated with Girls’ Division pupils for their assembly and two-minute silence at 11 o’clock. The Old Girls then enjoyed catching up over a special lunch.
Bolton School is undertaking an ongoing act of Remembrance from 2024 to 2029 to commemorate 110 years since the First World War. In 2014, the School purchased 81 ceramic poppies from the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red art installation, each one representing an Old Boy who died in the First World War. In 2014-2019, these were added to a display in the Riley Centre on the date of the Old Boy’s death; this commemoration is now being repeated, and the last poppy will be added in January 2029.
Follow the poppy commemoration on Instagram
Armistice Day at Bolton School:
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