REPTON REMEMBERS: HONOURING THOSE WHO SERVED AND SACRIFICED

Repton School has come together in remembrance this November, honouring the courage, service and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in conflict, including generations of Old Reptonians whose contributions remain an enduring part of the School's history.

The School marked Remembrance Sunday on 8 November with a special service, bringing the Repton community together for a time of reflection, gratitude and remembrance. The commemorations continue on Armistice Day, 11 November, as pupils and staff pause to remember those who gave their lives in the service of others.

Sunday's service opened with Eleanor D's In Flanders Fields, during which the Colours and Book of Remembrance were presented at the altar. The Head of School led the Bidding Prayer, followed by the hymn I Vow to Thee My Country.

The service included a reading from the Gospel of John, delivered by Major (Ret'd) Sarah Greig, Chief Operating Officer of the Repton Group, before an address from Stuart Elks, Deputy Head Pastoral at Repton Prep and a former member of the Special Boat Service.

Music played a central role throughout the commemorations, with the choir performing Gabriel Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine, alongside traditional hymns including Jerusalem.

Following the service, the Colours were processed to the Garth, accompanied by the Chaplain, Chair of Governors and Headmaster, as Edward Elgar's Nimrod was played on the organ.

At the War Memorial, the Headmaster delivered the Exhortation before the sounding of the Last Post and a period of silence. The ceremony concluded with Reveille and the laying of wreaths, paying tribute to those whose lives were lost in conflict.

Remembering Repton's Wartime Sacrifice

For Repton, Remembrance holds particular significance. The School's history is closely connected to the experiences of the two World Wars, during which hundreds of Old Reptonians answered the call to serve.

In November 1913, just months before the outbreak of the First World War, 362 boys attended Repton. Of those pupils, 349 would go on to serve in the conflict, with 72 losing their lives.

Across the wider Old Reptonian community, approximately 1,900 former pupils served during the First World War, of whom 355 never returned. A further 188 Old Reptonians are commemorated for their sacrifice during the Second World War.

For those who remained at Repton during the First World War, the impact was deeply felt. Weekly casualty lists brought news of former classmates and friends, while letters from the front reflected the lasting bonds between those serving overseas and the School they had left behind.

Today, their names remain inscribed on the School's memorials, serving as a lasting reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by previous generations.

The War Memorial in the Garth, erected in 1921, continues to provide a focal point for the School's annual commemorations, connecting the Repton community of today with those who came before them.

As pupils and staff observe Armistice Day, the services offer an opportunity not only to reflect on the sacrifices of the past, but also to consider the importance of peace, compassion and service in the present.

Through its annual acts of remembrance, Repton continues to honour those who gave their lives, ensuring their stories and sacrifices are remembered by future generations