Grimsby Chums remembered in moving service

A moving tribute to The Fallen was paid when more than 2,000 students and staff fell silent at 11am on Armistice Day.

Executive Principal Philip Dickinson, who led the Act of Remembrance, paid particular tribute to those who volunteered and lost their lives as members of the Grimsby Chums, the First World War Pals battalion.

“When we come together for remembrance, we remember all of those who have lost their lives in battle,” Mr Dickinson said.

“Today, I would like to make special mention of those who lost their lives in the conflict of the First World War.

“When Lord Kitchener first called for volunteers to join the war effort in 1914, the headmaster of a school in Grimsby raised a company of 250 former pupils, which was offered to the 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.

“After more Grimsby men showed enthusiasm to join, an entire new battalion was formed - the 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, which would affectionately become known as the Grimsby Chums - the only Pals regiment to be called 'chums'.”

Mr Dickinson told those gathered that, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1, 1916, the British Army suffered 19,240 deaths. Included among them were 502 Grimsby Chums.

Some of the Chums’ officers were awarded the Military Cross for their actions on 1 July. Brigadier General Gore wrote to the Battalion's commanding officer, Colonel Cordeaux, writing:

"Will you please express to your Battalion my admiration of their fearless conduct in the battle on July 1st... No troops could have done better."

Mr Dickinson said: “Please take a moment during our two minutes’ silence to consider the ultimate sacrifice made by these soldiers and the loss felt by their families, in order to protect our freedoms.

“We can often take for granted the sacrifice so many gave for us as we stand here today. We owe them our respect and remembrance.”

The service and two-minute silence took place on the school’s tennis courts.

The Last Post and Reveille was sounded by member of staff Victoria Stothard and the service included readings by sixth form head students Sulaiman Sharif, Libby Jackson and Annie Peck.

The school’s Army, Air, Marine, Scout and Sea Cadets marched to the front of the academy, where there was a short wreath laying in the memorial garden.

Vice Chair of Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust Jane Aukett was among those at the service.

One member of staff said: “The young people standing out there paying their silent respects were exceptional.

“They made me proud to still be part of such a generous and considerate school community.”