News Detail
Remembrance Day Service
Lest we forget
As has been our tradition for decades, Shawnigan held a Remembrance Day Service for students, staff, parents and guests and, as usual, the Chapel was overflowing. Shawnigan lost forty-four old boys and one staff member in WWII and today was a chance to specially remember and honour Gunner John G. H. Lander ’24 and staff member Lt. William J. McMullen, whose history was unknown to us when the bronze plaque was cast originally. There is now an additional plaque proudly remembering their names.
Guest Speaker Capt. Michael Williamson (Ret.) of the Royal Canadian Navy talked about the past, sharing the story of his father, Cmdr. James Williamson, who joined the Merchant Navy in 1943 at age 15, before transferring to the Royal Canadian Navy; the present, including his own time as Commander of CFB Esquimalt; and the future, for his son Devin ‘16 (Lake’s) and all the students in Chapel. “You have a responsibility to honour the contribution and hardships of our veterans, those both living and fallen,” he said. “You have a responsibility to contribute more to your countries and to your societies than you take from them. And you have a responsibility to recognize your own fortunes and advantages, and use them in whatever manner necessary to improve peaceful co-existence for all.”
A small white cross bearing the name and date of death for each of our fallen alumni and staff is erected in the quad, and following Chapel the grade 8s each laid a poppy on one of the crosses.
The conclusion of today’s ceremony was the planting of 75 tulip bulbs at the base of the flagpole – a gift from the Government and Royal family of the Netherlands. In recognition of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Holland by Canadians, we were asked to plant them this fall in order that they may bloom next spring in time for the May 5, 2020 anniversary.
Headmaster Lamont ended his address by reflecting on the hymn I vow to thee, my country, which ends with the words, “And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase/And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.”
“For me, Remembrance Day is both a time to honour those men and women (including civilians) who have fallen in conflict – on whichever side – and also to remind ourselves that we must strive constantly to find those “paths” of “peace.”
– Rosemary E. Dolman, Museum Curator
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Guest Speaker Capt. Michael Williamson (Ret.) of the Royal Canadian Navy talked about the past, sharing the story of his father, Cmdr. James Williamson, who joined the Merchant Navy in 1943 at age 15, before transferring to the Royal Canadian Navy; the present, including his own time as Commander of CFB Esquimalt; and the future, for his son Devin ‘16 (Lake’s) and all the students in Chapel. “You have a responsibility to honour the contribution and hardships of our veterans, those both living and fallen,” he said. “You have a responsibility to contribute more to your countries and to your societies than you take from them. And you have a responsibility to recognize your own fortunes and advantages, and use them in whatever manner necessary to improve peaceful co-existence for all.”
A small white cross bearing the name and date of death for each of our fallen alumni and staff is erected in the quad, and following Chapel the grade 8s each laid a poppy on one of the crosses.
The conclusion of today’s ceremony was the planting of 75 tulip bulbs at the base of the flagpole – a gift from the Government and Royal family of the Netherlands. In recognition of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Holland by Canadians, we were asked to plant them this fall in order that they may bloom next spring in time for the May 5, 2020 anniversary.
Headmaster Lamont ended his address by reflecting on the hymn I vow to thee, my country, which ends with the words, “And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase/And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.”
“For me, Remembrance Day is both a time to honour those men and women (including civilians) who have fallen in conflict – on whichever side – and also to remind ourselves that we must strive constantly to find those “paths” of “peace.”
– Rosemary E. Dolman, Museum Curator
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
