Plaque commemorating World War 1 Haberdashers’ Adams alumni unveiled in St. George’s Church, Ypres, Belgium.
On Saturday 28 September 2024 a service of dedication for the Haberdashers’ Adams Memorial Plaque was held at St. George’s Memorial Church in Ypres, Belgium. The congregation was made up of students from Years 8, 9, 10 and the Upper Sixth who were on a tour of the battlefields of the Western Front.
The idea for the plaque arose because of Matthew Skeate, the Head of History, walking into St. George’s Church whilst visiting Ypres in June. He noticed that the walls of the chapel had several memorial plaques from schools in Great Britain, but that there was no plaque for Haberdashers’ Adams. The Haberdashers’ Company very kindly agreed to fund the cost of the plaque. The wording was agreed with the Headmaster, St. George’s Church and the Company and is as follows: ‘In memory of the 44 Old Novaportans who gave their lives in the First World War, many of them in the Ypres Salient. Remembering also the 22 Old Novaportans who fell in the Second World War’.
The service was short but moving. The school provided an organist (Max) and a trumpeter for the Last Post (Jack). Two hymns were sung ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past’ and ‘Jerusalem’. The plaque was then unveiled by the Head Boy, Oliver and the Deputy Head Girl, Ilori.
The lesson, Matthew ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’, was read by Toby. In addition, two excerpts from wartime editions of The Novaportan were read by Isaac and William. Mr Healey read a poignant account written by the then Head of Chemistry, Mr Robinson, who had been conscripted into the Royal Engineers. His knowledge of chemistry was then utilised to deploy gas cannisters. He spent his war on the Ypres Salient and returned to the school at the end to resume his career.
Shropshire’s most famous wartime poet, Wilfred Owen, also featured when William read ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’. The service closed with the Kohima Epitaph, read by George.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Richard Clement, who welcomed us to St George’s and provided the closing words and prayers. We are also very grateful to the Chaplaincy Warden, Mr Christopher Sims, for helping to facilitate the provision of the plaque with local engravers.
If you are ever in Ypres, please take a moment to visit St George’s. It is a wonderful church and is a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made. The Haberdashers’ Adams plaque is on the south wall, to the left of the standards.
Matthew Skeate, Head of History at Haberdashers’ Adams
