BRGS Remembers

This year our Remembrance Service focused on the diversity of human life that has been drawn into war and celebrated their contribution to World War I and World War II.  

The stories and readings focused on the following:

• the importance of loyalty and having the courage to follow your beliefs;
• affirming that there should be no barriers to common humanity;
• reminding us of the futility of war.

Students were encouraged to continue to search for these stories of the unremembered. To take a moment to recognise the unnamed, forgotten heroes, from all races, backgrounds, genders and religions.  The service focused on the importance of understanding that we all live, for the moment, under one sky, and it is our responsibility to remember them all, in our striving for peace. 

BRGS former students sent to the frontline were remembered:  the 19 to 38 year olds not much older than the students themselves.  Many women from the local communities joined in the war effort: working in the Land Army, in munitions, in nursing. Thirty-six of our students did not return. The Rolls of Honour with the names of the students and teachers of Newchurch Grammar School and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars were read followed by the presentation of our wreath by uniformed cadets at the school's memorial in the main entrance.

For those of you interested in finding more about the former students who lost their lives, former BRGS colleague, Anne King, has researched their history to ensure that their stories are heard and shared.  Her book, They Left the Valley Behind: The Boys of Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School Who Died in World War One is available through Amazon and Anne has kindly donated a copy to the school archives so that we can continue to remember them.