Hamstel Infant School and Nursery Remembers

Hamstel Infant School and Nursery held their Remembrance service on Thursday 11th November 2021. The school commemorated this special event by holding a service which involved the sounding of the Last Post, a march past from members of Westcliff High School for Boys’ Combined Cadet Force and they were also joined by representatives from the local branch of the British Legion.

The children from Hamstel Infant School and Nursery laid wreaths made from recycled materials to mark this special event.

Remembrance commemoration is very special to the Hamstel Schools, which were officially opened on August 31st 1914, just twenty seven days after World War 1 was declared. The school has had a long history of supporting our country during the two World Wars, in the making and distribution of gas marks, being a school that was mainly evacuated to Derbyshire and being used as a barracks for various regiments during the Second World War, the roof tiles still bear the graffiti of many regiments who obviously had some time on their hands whilst they were look outs. Excerpts from the school log books are shared with the children, telling them of life for the children at Hamstel during those times.

The Armed Forces, from the Army, Navy and Air Force and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth are remembered, we remember the vital role played by the emergency services and those that lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism. We also remember the many animals and birds who were sacrificed in supporting the human efforts.

The school respectfully marks this event each year as a way of helping the children of this generation understand the message of Remembrance and to have a powerful experience they will themselves remember.

The support of the CCF cadets marching and laying a wreath on behalf of the school brings a realness of the work the armed forces do.

The whole school and nursery participated and the sound of a lone bugler playing the Last Post was a very moving and memorable moment for all.