Chapel and War Memorials
Despite pupils having multi-faith backgrounds the school adheres to the practices of the Church of England as required of English boarding schools under law. Chapel is taken each week day morning by pupils with a full church service on Sunday following Parade. Consequently cadets go to church services in Chapel wearing their ceremonial uniforms. On days of special religious significance the Chapel follows the traditions of High Church.
The walls of the chapel are laid up with the battle honours belonging to former Cadets' regiments and corps; but of more note are the historic carved marble tablet lists of the thousands of Dukies who have sacrificed their lives in Great Britain's various wars and conflicts since 1803. An inordinately large number of these dead hold decorations for gallantry and distinguished service; and so numerous in quantity that only the most distinguished public schools equal the valourous conduct and distinguished leadership demonstrated by Dukies.
The school has a memorial to the Great War and the Second World War placed just inside of the main entrance to the school. The Parade and Band pays its respects here on the Armistice Commemoration. A great number of former pupils, many of them in the Armed Forces, also attend, along with Dukies who are now Chelsea Pensioners.
Read more about this topic: Duke Of York's Royal Military School
Famous quotes containing the words chapel and, chapel, war and/or memorials:
“The religion of England is part of good-breeding. When you see on the continent the well-dressed Englishman come into his ambassadors chapel and put his face for silent prayer into his smooth-brushed hat, you cannot help feeling how much national pride prays with him, and the religion of a gentleman.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882)
“whan he rood, men myghte his brydel heere
Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere
And eek as loude as dooth the chapel belle.”
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?1400)
“Superstition, bigotry and prejudice, ghosts though they are, cling tenaciously to life; they are shades armed with tooth and claw. They must be grappled with unceasingly, for it is a fateful part of human destiny that it is condemned to wage perpetual war against ghosts. A shade is not easily taken by the throat and destroyed.”
—Victor Hugo (18021885)
“Let these memorials of built stone musics
enduring instrument, of many centuries of
patient cultivation of the earth, of English
verse ...”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)