Duke Of York’s Royal Military School Remembrance Events

Published by The Duke of York's Royal Military School on Wednesday 15th of November 2023

Students and staff from the Duke of York’s Royal Military School took part in Remembrance events across London, Kent and Belgium.

Remembrance Sunday saw members of The Dukies’ Association (former students) join current students in a parade at the School’s cenotaph. The parade was inspected by Principal Alex Foreman, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ellis and Regimental Sergeant Major David Russell.

The School’s Royal Military Chapel of St Michael and St George held a chapel service where the School Colours were laid upon the altar. The Duke of York's Royal Military School is unique amongst English schools in that it has the right to carry Colours.

Events began for the School on the previous Tuesday with the Torch Kindling Ceremony of the British Torch of Remembrance at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Students formed a Guard of Honour over the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior as well as a Colour party and buglers. Senior Under Officer Joanna commanded the Guard of Honour, which consisted of Junior Under Officers Freddie, Louise, Jola, Brett, Blessing and Keifer. Colour Ensigns Skye and Ekeoma were accompanied by Buglers Kai, Maddie and Alec, who played the Last Post and Reveille. Regimental Sergeant Major Will and Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Yetta were Torch Bearers for the ceremony.

Back in Kent, students followed the British Torch of Remembrance on its pilgrimage to Dover Cruise Terminal (formerly the Dover Marine Railway Station). Students taking part in this event included Junior Under Officers Denis, Fayth and Tadi. Dukies first formed a Guard of Honour at the Marine Railway Station on 10th November 1920, when the Unknown Warrior’s body arrived at Dover. A tradition we are still proud of today.

Continuing to follow the British Torch of Remembrance, students attended ceremonies across Belgium including those at Roeselare, Bredene and Brussels. Students in attendance at these events included Junior Under Officers Przemyslaw, Dustan, India, Jasmine and Alena.

On Saturday evening, the School hosted 200 former students in its dining hall for The Dukies’ Association’s Annual Reunion Dinner.