At Canford, we take time each year to honour the Old Canfordians who served and sacrificed in the World Wars and other conflicts. This Remembrance Day, pupils participated in a thoughtful activity to commemorate those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Canford had been open for just 16 years at the beginning of World War II, and fewer than 1,500 pupils had passed through the school at that time. Yet nearly a thousand OCs served in the conflict, with 140 tragically killed, almost 10% of the total past population. The figures for the Royal Air Force were even more striking: 192 OCs served, and 50 lost their lives.

To bring this history to life, pupils were assigned an OC who died in the Second World War. Using a helpful document provided along with their own research, they carefully wrote on their poppies as much information as they could discover about their allocated OC, including examples such as their rank, regiment or squadron, where they served, and their age when they began service. The completed poppies were then collected and given to the Library team, who created a special display.

The activity complemented the school’s other Remembrance Day observances, including the whole school service on Remembrance Sunday. On 11th November, the Canford community gathered around the fountain on the Sunken Lawn for the two-minute’ silence at 11:00, reflecting the respect the school continues to show for the courage and sacrifice of its former pupils.