Remembrance Day 2023

On Friday 10 November 2023, the King’s School Worcester, OVs, Hon OVs, Governors and Trustees gathered in Worcester Cathedral to commemorate The Fallen in a moving and poignant Service of Remembrance.

The new President of the OV Club and former Head of School, James Smalley (Br 10-17) laid the wreath on behalf of all OVs, accompanied by one of our two current Heads of School, Jasmine S, who laid a wreath on behalf of the School. The wreaths had been marched into the Cathedral by the King’s CCF Colour Guard. Prayers were led by the Rev’d Dr Dorsett (Hon OV).

We were honoured to welcome OV Lieutenant Commander (retd) Ed Sutcliffe RN (Cl 82-92), who gave the Address during the service. He opened the address, “As a former Serviceman, and OV, I am proud to see the importance with which The King’s Foundation takes its responsibility to remember The Fallen, and particularly those OVs who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Remembering doesn’t just take the form of services such as this; arguably more important is educating pupils as to the reasons behind, and the effect of military conflict, so we may all better understand the consequences, and the importance of avoiding war wherever possible.”

Focusing on the First World War naval action, the Battle of Jutland, Ed explained how although the tactical outcome of the battle was inconclusive, its strategic effects were far-reaching, as it ensured that the Royal Navy was able to use its overwhelming sea power to enforce a naval blockade of Germany, which contributed to the eventual Allied victory in the war. He noted that war at sea and in the air is less visible than war on land, and the sacrifices made can be equally anonymous compared to the cemeteries of Flanders and Normandy, but the contributions are no less important.

Ed encouraged those present to remember all who have died in, and been affected by conflict throughout the generations, ending his address with a poignant reminder of what Remembrance Day means, “We are not here to glorify war or to expound the virtues of military service; we are here because we have a duty to educate future generations of our forebears’ sacrifices. They were ordinary men and women from different backgrounds with different beliefs, who through circumstance found themselves thrust into conflict.  Ordinary people who displayed exceptional bravery, selfless commitment, moral courage, self-discipline, integrity and loyalty by risking all for others.  We are here because we have an opportunity to come together to remember their ultimate sacrifice and the lives of those forever altered and affected by conflict.  We are here because we owe it to them never to forget.”

You can watch Ed’s full address on YouTube here. After Ed’s Address, members of the current CCF then each stood in turn from their seats around the Cathedral to remember those members of our Vigornian Community who died in action in 1903 and 1943.

Following the service, the Headmaster, Gareth Doodes, welcomed the guests of the School to a Reception in Hostel House. The guests included OVs from across the generations, including OVs currently serving and retired from the Armed Forces.

While at King’s, Ed was an active member of the rugby fraternity, playing for both the 1st XV and captaining the 2nd XV, and a keen dramatist. After completing his degree course at the University of Kent, Ed joined the Royal Navy and served as a Logistics Officer from 1997 to 2013, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his 16 years’ service, Ed served in a variety of sea and shore appointments; in his early career, he served in the destroyer HMS NOTTINGHAM and the frigate HMS CUMBERLAND before completing his submarine training and assuming the role of Logistics Officer in the nuclear ballistic missile submarine HMS VICTORIOUS. He then spent several years “ashore”, conducting various roles in HM Naval Base Clyde (Scotland), the EUFOR Headquarters in Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina) and at the NATO Maritime Component Command Naples (Italy), before returning to sea as Head of Department in the frigate HMS IRON DUKE, conducting counter narcotics and hurricane disaster relief operations in the Caribbean and acting as guard ship for the Falkland Islands and British South Atlantic overseas territories. Ed’s final appointment in the RN was as a member of the Directing Staff at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, where he taught leadership, military doctrine, and staff skills to Royal Navy junior officers.

While on his visit to King’s on this occasion, Ed also spoke with U6 students Will P and Alicia F, who are both interested in a career in the Armed Forces, giving them a welcome insight into this world.

Thank you, Ed, for your service and your support.