OP John Marshall (64-70) brought his fully restored WW1 Thorneycroft lorry to school on Remembrance Sunday to help mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day and pay tribute to the soldiers, including Old Pocklingtonians, who died in battle.

Events on Sunday 11 November began with a Boarders’ Remembrance service at the School Chapel, led by Rev Jim Roberts. The Heads of Boarding Houses read out the Roll of Honour, a two minute silence was observed, and a wreath commemorating the WW1 dead was placed at the altar.

Everyone moved to the Memorial Cricket Pavilion, erected to honour OPs who died in the two World Wars. OP President Trevor Loten (70-80) spoke about the OP casualties and the history behind the Pavilion’s creation, before laying a wreath on behalf of the OP Association. The Chaplain re-dedicated the pavilion to the memory of those that had died, pupils scattered poppies and the Last Post was played by former parent Michael Cooper. After a minute’s silence, Reveille was played and a final prayer said.

The Boarders then inspected the original 1913 WW1 Thorneycroft lorry which John had painstakingly restored after discovering it abandoned in a farmyard. The lorry, which was used to carry ammunition to the British Army in France, is now in pristine condition and pupils were able to climb into the cab and inspect the engine.

In the afternoon, the Thorneycroft driven by John led Pocklington’s town Remembrance Parade, followed by the School’s Combined Cadet Force, led by Officer Commanding CCF, Sam Cheadle. The parade walked through the town, laying wreaths at the WW1 and WW2 memorials, before moving to All Saints Church for a Remembrance Service.

To view the Pocklington School Flickr album 'Armistice Day 100' please click here.

To read the report about all the activities and acts of remembrance at Pocklington School in the run up to Remembrance Sunday, please click here.