The Gowertonian Society

Remembrance


The Memorial Plaque and Book of Remembrance are on view at the Gowerton Comprehensive School

Date: 6th November 2009

Annual Remembrance Service 2009

Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, D. Byron Lewis,
his wife, Hilary, Dr Alun Jones (GS Chairman, right)
and representatives of the Gowertonian Society Committee.

Chairman, Dr Alun Jones and representatives of the committee of the Gowertonian Society were guests at the Remembrance Service at Gowerton Comprehensive School on Friday, 6th November 2009.

The memorial wreaths were laid by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, D. Byron Lewis, who was accompanied by his wife Hilary (née Morgan), also a Gowertonian.

Tributes were paid to fallen Gowertonians by headteacher Mr Peter Harrison, assisted by deputy headteacher, Mr Tom McCarthy. Names of some of the former pupils who lost their lives in the World Wars 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 were read from the school's Book of Remembrance. On behalf of the Gowertonian Society there was a reading by Dr Alun Jones, followed by 'Exhortation' by head boy, Matthew Jones and 'The Kohima Epitaph' by head girl, Adele Davies.

The Last Post was played by Jessica Ronan, Year 11.

The Senior String Ensemble, lead by Lucy Meredith, played "We Stand Alone Together" (Michael Kayman) from Band of Brothers.

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Date: 7th November 2008

Annual Remembrance Service 2008

Mr Peter Harrison (Headmaster) presided over his second Remembrance Service which was held in the Main Hall of his Comprehensive School at Cecil Rd, Gowerton.

There was a very good turn out of Gowertonian Society Committee members namely: Ann Borthwick (President), Robert Evans (Chair), Lynne Guy (Sec), Elaine Howell, Gordon Dennis, Valmai Richards, Julie Thomas, Alun Jones, David Borthwick and Elizabeth Tucker. Also in attendance was Ken Thomas. Apologies were recieved from Catherine Thomas, Marjorie Stubbings, Peter Hughes, Chloë Guy, Anne Davies and Owen Hughes.

Mr Harrison welcomed 'Gowertonians' and impressed upon his students the history that they were part of and the success they inherited from those who attended the school since its foundation.

Mr Robert Evans addressed the students with a theme indicating that Remembrance should be respected by even those who had no close connection with the wars because everybody had been provided with an opportunity to make their mark on life by the many who had died to create a free and democratic society.

Mr Harrison then read from the 'Remembrance Book', picking out at random names of Gowertonians who fell in The Second World War'.

The School Orchestra then played 'Abide with Me' with a particularly impressive xylophone solo by Tom Devonald.

Wreaths were presented to the Head Boy (Matthew Wedlake) and Head Girl (Emily Davies) by representatives of The Gowertonian Society, Mrs Valmai Richards and Mr David Borthwick.

Emily Davies and Matthew Wedlake
(Head Girl and Head Boy 2008/09)

The 'Last Post' was played by Jessica Ronan (Year 10)

Mr MacCarthy led the concluding prayers.

The Gowertonian Society is grateful to Mr Harrison for the opportunity to honour the contribution fallen former students of The Gowerton Schools made to their country.

Robert Evans (GS Chairman)

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Date: 9th November 2007

Remembrance Service

Headteacher, Mr Peter Harrison, welcomed representatives of the Gowertonian Society to the Remembrance Service at the Gowerton Comprehensive School on Friday, 9th November 2007.

The chairman and vice-chairman of the school governors and representatives of the Gowertonian Society committee were present.

Mr Harrison addressed the assembly and read from the Book of Remembrance and there was a reading by Miss Chloë Guy. The wreaths were laid by Miss Elaine Howell and Mr Ken Thomas, assisted by the head prefects James Wedlake and Samantha Beynon.

Miss Chloë Guy

Chloë Guy, Gowertonian
Head Girl 2001/2002

Many thanks to Mr Peter Harrison and staff for the usual warm welcome

To read the story of World War II veteran John Williams, please click here

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Date: 10th November 2006

Remembrance Service

The Remembrance Service was held in the Gowerton Comprehensive School on Friday, 10th November 2006. Two of the school governors and some members of the Gowertonian Society committee were present but not one Gowertonian had accepted the invitation this year.

The service was conducted by Mr Paul Green, the headteacher, and included a brief homily by Mrs Rona Davies. The wreaths were laid by Robert Evans and David Borthwick, assisted by the head prefects Rebecca Northey and Rhys Morris. Tony Small led the brass band.

World War II veteran John Williams was not able to attend this year. We wish John a speedy recovery.

Many thanks to Mr Paul Green and staff for the usual warm welcome.

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Date: 11th November 2005

Remembrance Service

The Remembrance Service this year took place at Gowerton Comprehensive School on Friday, 11th November, starting at 8.30am. The service was led by the headteacher, Mr Paul Green.

As usual, some members of the Gowertonian Society committee were present at the service. Dr Alun Jones read the lesson and wreaths were laid by Mr Peter Hughes and Mrs Val Richards, accompanied by Bethan Stephens and Rhodri Jenkins, senior students. For the first time this year an invitation was extended to all Gowertonians wishing to attend.

Gowertonian, John Williams, World War II veteran, at the Somerfield Store at Gorseinon, selling a poppy to another Gowertonian Glenys Phillips (née Ogilvy).

Click on John's Story to read his account of his wartime experiences




The Memorial Plaque and Book of Remembrance are on view at the Gowerton Comprehensive School