At Pangbourne College, remembrance is part of who we are. Rooted in our naval tradition, we come together today to reflect, to honour, and to ensure the stories of courage and sacrifice are never forgotten.

Thank you to our preacher, Colonel David Ellison and our Guest of Honour and Inspecting Officer, Major General Jeff Mason MBE for being a part of our Remembrance Sunday service and parade.

Each year, the College pays special tribute to the significant loss of life during World War II, where 177 former students and one Governor were killed, as well as to the 255 servicemen and three civilians who lost their lives in the Falklands War of 1982. This Remembrance Sunday Parade was particularly meaningful as it was the first one with our newly appointed Head.

Jeff Mason is involved in a number of, mainly military, charities as a Trustee and Non Executive Director as well as being co-author of a history of the Commando Logistic Regiment. He is Chair of the Falkland Islands Chapel Memorial Trust, commemorating those who gave their lives in the Falklands Conflict in 1982, as well as a Trustee and Chair of the Victory Services Club, an all ranks Club in Marble Arch, London. He is a member of the No One Left Behind Committee, part of Help for Heroes, responsible for raising funds to support those servicemen permanently very severely injured and requiring care for the rest of their lives. As a Trustee of the South Georgia Heritage Trust he is involved in supporting the environment and wildlife on South Georgia, a UK dependency in the South Atlantic. He is also the Non Executive Chair of Vedette Consulting Limited, a small military consulting company specialising in decision support and war gaming. He has just completed nine years as a Trustee of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and chairs the oversight committee for the reestablishment of the Royal Marines Museum. The Livery world of the City of London remains a part of his life and he is a Liveryman of the Plaisterers Company. He is also Chair of his village Parish Council. Jeff was CEO of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, one of the senior City Livery Companies for nearly ten years where he was responsible for running the affairs of the Company. During this period he led a major refurbishment of the Hall. Prior to that he spent four and a half years as the Commercial Director for Europe for a global end to end Logistics Company, Supreme Group, providing logistic support to defence and government organisations deployed on operations.

In the afternoon, the marching band went on to lead the village Remembrance Parade.

You can watch the full service on YouTube here.