Armisstice Day

The Goldings Band 1954

WHAT A BOY DID FOR RUPERT BROOKE

DURING the Great War, many young Englishmen were killed whom we could ill afford to lose. Many young Germans, too,
and Frenchmen and Italians. There's not much sense in saying they went "because their time had come." It had only come because
the time they lived in was such a bad time. It is always a bad time when young people have to die because older ones have been
lazy, or selfish, or forgetful of God.
The young Englishman about whom this story was told was one whom we all could have wished to live for many years. Though
very young, he had already made a name for himself.
When the time came for him to go to France, though he had many friends, the call came so suddenly that there was no time to let
them know, so that they could come to see him off. Consequently, when the steamship was taking its men aboard, this young man
found himself strangely alone. All around were people saying their good-byes — wives, parents, sweethearts, relatives and friends.
Before long this young man began to feel a powerful heart-hunger. Among all these folks who knew and loved each other, he had
no one who really belonged to him.
Looking round, he espied a small boy among the crowd who seemed to have no one in the company in whom he was specially
interested. He was just there, as small boys are often found where great events are taking place, noticing everything, and storing
up memories for years to come.
Beckoning the boy to him, this young officer spoke.
"Would you like to earn a sixpence, sonny?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," replied the boy promptly.
"Have you got a handkerchief?"
"Yes, sir," said the boy again,, bringing forth from his pocket a dingy square of khaki, possibly a little present from his own father
across the seas.
"Good," said the officer. "Now here's your sixpence, and this is what I want you to do to earn it. When our boat leaves, and we are
sailing away, I want you to mount those railings there and wave your handkerchief to me. I will wave back to you. You understand?
You will wave good-bye and good wishes to me. Is it a bargain?"
"Yes, sir," said the boy, and, true to his promise, he perched himself on the railings, and as the boat began to draw away, he began
to wave. All along that crowded landing-stage were hundreds of handkerchiefs, hats, caps and little flags waving and fluttering,
but as he stood on the deck that young officer kept his eye on that boy and his fluttering rag of khaki, saying to himself,
"That handkerchief is waving for me — for me."
That young officer never came back, and when the news came that he was gone, all England grieved, for he had left behind him
some verses which will never die. Here is one: —

His name was Rupert Brooke, and England has never been so rich in fine young men with great gifts, that she could afford to lose
one such as he before his time.
We wonder if that urchin has ever discovered who it was that gave him the sixpence and made such a strange little request to him!
What sort of a boy was he, and what kind of man has he grown into? This much is sure. No sixpence he has ever earned was better
worth the earning than the one he got for giving Rupert Brooke a brave "Cheerio" as he looked his last on England.
GEORGE A. PARKINSON in The Methodist Recorder

Page Compiled November 2009

"If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign, field
That is for ever England." . . .

Please take time to read this little story

The Goldonian
Armistice Day 1935

Pictured above is the wreath Tony Angell is taking to Waterford (tomorrow 8 11 2009 Remembrance Sunday) to lay at the War Memorial,
on behalf of all Goldings Old Boys and Staff, in honour of all the Goldings Boys and Staff who served, or lay down their lives
in the Service of their Country.
Also to remember the brave boys who are fighting abroad today (no longer Goldings Boys but equally in need of support)

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2009

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2010

The Wreath Brian and Ellen Perrier laid at Waterford War Memorial

THIS WREATH IS DEDICATED TO GOLDINGS OLD BOYS AND STAFF WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THEIR COUNTRY

The words on the card read

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2011

Once again Brian Perrier and
his family lay the Wreath at
Waterford War Memorial

MAURICE BARDEN 1953 The past and present staff of the Woodwork Department who knew Maurice well, wish to express their
sympathy to his friends and relatives over his untimely death in Korea, He was a most pleasant boy to work with at the School, always
a very willing and able student, a good craftsman, and developed into a very fine young man. It is with very deep sorrow that we mourn
his passing

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2012

Ellen Perrier delivered flowers
this year Brian not being
well enough

Wreath lay by Tony Angel

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2013

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2014

Ellen Perrier lay the
Goldings Old Boys
and Staff Wreath
2014 and 2015

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2015

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2016

Once again Ellen placed the wreath for
The Goldings Old Boys and Staff on behalf of Brian

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2017

Ellen Perrier and Tony Angell Lay Wreaths 2017

Tony Angell
Lay the wreath

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2018

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2019

Ellen Perrier lay the Wreath on the left for the
Goldings Old Boys and Staff 2018

Tony Angell once again lay the 2019
Wreath for the Goldings old Boys and Staff

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2020

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2021

Ellen Perrier who has made our Memorial
Wreath. Due to lock down we were not
going to be able to lay a Wreath this year,
but Ellen surprised me with this today, and
she has delivered it to Waterford W.W.1.
Memorial, on behalf of her husband
Old Boy Brian Perrier and The Goldings
Old Boys and Staff.
What makes it more special is Ellen isn’t
in best of health herself.

Our Memorial Wreath 2021
was laid by Ron Porter on
Behalf of all
Goldings Old Boys and Staff
Many Thanks Ron

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2022

Our Memorial Wreath
and Xmas wreath 2022
was laid by Ron Porter on
Behalf of all
Goldings Old Boys and Staff
Many Thanks Ron

THE COMMEMORATION BENCH

Remembrance Sunday in Waterford 2024

ONCE AGAIN RON PORTER B.S.P.
LAY OR WREATH AT
WATERFORD WAR MEMORIAL 2024