Latest News

Members of St Michael’s Prep School gathered to honour former pupils and soldiers at the Royal British Legion’s Garden of Honour on Thursday this week.

Attended by St Michael’s staff, parents, Governors and alumni as well as members of the Royal British Legion and Chelsea Pensioners, the event was a testament to the ultimate sacrifice that the five honoured soldiers made for their country. Chairman of the Sevenoaks District Council, Councillor Alan Layland, and Susan Dorrington from Aylesford Parish Council were also at the service.

The servicemen honoured in the ceremony were Edgar Ernest Vincent ‘Marc’ Barwood, George Vernon Blythe, Lieutenant Peter Derek Victor Jones, Sergeant Mervyn Stanley Preece and Gordon Alexander Searson, all of whom lost their lives fighting in the Second World War. Following extensive research, relatives of Peter Jones and Mervyn Preece were invited to the event and able to attend which was a poignant experience for all.

The event took place at the Aylesford Royal British Legion’s Garden of Honour where a Wall of Honour, launched on the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, is placed. The Wall of Honour offers members of the public the opportunity to leave a lasting tribute to someone special by engraving a commemorative plaque in their name. St Michael’s engagement with this initiative was led by Head of Drama, Mr Al Powell, whose school production of Aladdin Junior in March 2023 raised money to purchase plaques for five former pupils,

St Michael’s remembrance service saw staff deliver readings and prayers, whilst our Chamber Choir and Drama Scholars gave outstanding performances of war-themed songs and prose, moving most in attendance to tears. The service ended with a 2-minute silence, wreath laying for the soldiers by St Michael’s Heads of School and collective singing of the National Anthem.