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Memorial Weekend Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th January 2017 – Whitehall Parade and Guildford Cathedral

On Saturday 14th January, Gordon’s students marched through Whitehall for our annual parade and did us proud by refusing to let the rain dampen spirits and stop them from completing our traditional parade, the format of which is now in its 25th year.

Students from each of the school’s Houses, along with our Pipes and Drums Band, assembled in their ceremonial Blues before marching on a slightly altered route due to weather conditions and events on the day.

The students marched past crowds of proud parents and onlookers to the statue of General Gordon on the Embankment at the bottom of Horse Guards Avenue.

Upon arrival at the statue, the School Chaplain, The Reverend Denis Robinson, led the Memorial Service to commemorate the death of Christian soldier hero, philanthropist, and school namesake, General Charles George Gordon. It was a particularly memorable service as it was the Chaplain’s last Whitehall service with Gordon’s, as he retires later this year.

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, marshal the event and who continue to support the school and our students.

The Guildford Cathedral Memorial Service for the whole school took place the following day, Sunday 15th January. This year parents were unable to attend the service due to interior repair work. However, we hope next year that we will be able to invite parents again.

This year's sermon was given by The Right Reverend Christopher Herbert assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Guildford, formerly Bishop of St Alban's.

Please click here for more photographs from Whitehall Parade.