On 5 of May, Dutch Liberation Day, the SMC History department travelled to Dronten to join the commemorations. This follows the ESMS community's hosting of Almere College for Remembrance Day in November. In a meaningful gesture, Mr Clarke, joined by ESMS students, laid wreaths at the Aviator Monument, comprising of parts of the Lancaster Bomber, once piloted by SMC FP Sgt. William Middleton Ward, whose plane was shot down by a Nazi fighter plane, over Dronten, in 1943.
Since the 1970s, British Air Gunners have been a presence at this event, with as many as 150 participating in the 1980s. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the celebrations in Dronten, and notably, it is the first occasion without any surviving Air Gunners in attendance. The School’s presence at the event is therefore all the more poignant, and we hope this exchange continues in years to come.
Back at home, History Club students have been unearthing stories of former MES pupils who served their country, and we look forward to learning more about their findings.
We are proud of our students' continuing commitment to remembering the former pupils who came before them.
You can watch the television broadcast of the ceremony below.