In October 1951, the Memorial Chapel at Trinity College School was officially consecrated, its construction initiated in memory of the Old Boys and masters of the School who had perished in World War I, World War II and the Boer War and in thanksgiving for the return of all others who had served. This year, the 70th anniversary of the chapel, it was the site of two Remembrance Day services, with the Junior School marking the occasion on Wednesday, November 10th and the Senior School on Thursday, November 11th.
Each service followed a similar format, and a highlight of each was select students sharing the stories of TCS Old Boys who made the ultimate sacrifice in war. For example, a Grade 8 student spoke of the life of John Guy Cluxton Ambrose of Port Hope, a talented young musician who enlisted and was sent overseas with the Canadian Garrison Unit, 4th Siege Battery (McGill Battery) in 1917. He died of pneumonia in France, in February 1919 at the age of 39. In the Senior School service, attendees learned of the life of Lt. Col. Frederick Ernest Wigle, Commanding Officer of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada and how he was killed in the late stages of World War II – April 1945 – at Friesoythe, Germany. At TCS, he was a standout student and athlete, who would go on to play a key role in the McGill University’s hockey and football teams. He was 31 years old when he died, less than four weeks before the end of the war in Europe.
The services were led by TCS Chaplain, Major The Revd. Canon Don Aitchison, including the indoor portion of the service followed by an outdoor gathering around the Memorial Cross. The TCS Parents’ Guild was represented by Mrs. Lisa Bailey, president, who placed a wreath at the base of the cross. In Flanders Fields was read by Grade 8 student Kennedy Adams during the Junior School service, and Grade 12 student Abby Hicks for the Senior School service. Grade 11 student Michael Moreau played Last Post and The Rouse for both events. At the Junior School service, we were honoured to welcome TCS parent, Sgt. (Retd.) Mark Sheppard.
