Bringing traffic to a standstill in Whitehall on Saturday (27th January 2024) for the Gordon’s School annual Parade in London as over 200 students marched behind the Pipes and Drums for the start of their Memorial Weekend in memory of General Charles Gordon in whose honour the school was founded.
Dressed in their ceremonial Blues uniform, students formed the Parade in King Charles Street, before heading into Whitehall and past the Cenotaph to the General Gordon Statue in the Victoria Embankment Gardens. There, the School Chaplain, the Reverend Graham Wright conducted a short service to commemorate the death of the Christian soldier, hero and philanthropist.
Wreaths were laid at the statue on behalf of the Gordon family by Tom Gordon; for the Gordonians by Josh Buckland and for Governors, Trustees, Staff and Students by Colour Sergeant Ioan Wilson.
The Surrey school, which is the national monument to General Gordon – is the only one in the country permitted to march along the central London venue – and commemorating General Gordon’s life has been an integral part of the School’s history.
Bugler Ben Hallett from the school sounded the Last Post and the Reveille, and The Lament was played by the Pipe Major Harry Gordon.
The co-educational day and boarding school, awarded Tes Boarding School of the Year in the Schools Awards 2022 and one of the highest achieving state-funded secondary schools in England, first opened its doors in 1885 as Gordon Boys’ Home at the behest of Queen Victoria, who wanted a fitting National memorial to be created in Gordon’s honour.
Head Teacher Andrew Moss commented: “As always, we were honoured to be able to uphold our tradition, which is a much anticipated event for the whole school. As the only school granted permission to march through Whitehall, once again our students represented Gordon’s School to the highest standard, of which General Gordon himself would have been proud.
“Our thanks go to the City of Westminster for allowing us to continue our tradition, to staff and students for their commitment and dedication and to all the parents who helped organise travel and who continue to support the school and our students.”
The Whitehall Parade, was followed by the annual Gordon Memorial Service in Guildford Cathedral the next day, attended by students and staff. The Gordon Sermon was preached by The Bishop of Guildford, The Right Reverend Andrew Watson.
Categories: Gordon's School
