09th November 2018
World War One Commemorations
BHASVIC marks the Armistice centenary. BHASVIC, known as Brighton Hove and Sussex Grammar School in 1914 was transformed into a hospital during the Great War. Requisitioned when not much more than a year old and designated the Second Eastern General Hospital, it accommodated large numbers of men who arrived at Brighton Station direct from the battlefields, mainly via Dover. To commemorate the end of the conflict, BHASVIC recreated part of the Military Hospital in the Main Hall alongside student social and study space. Fourteen military style hospital beds were created alongside photographic displays from 1914 - 1918 of the military WW1 wards. From 5 - 9 November there were lunchtime events including a student choir performing wartime songs, also Drama students performed duologues expressing the emotions felt by a mother around the loss of her son, and a soldier. There were poetry readings by Jessie Pope's 'Who's For The Game? and Wilfred Owen's 'Dulce Et Decorum Est'. Drama students re-enacted the roles of wounded soldiers, military nurses and doctors working in the King's ward which is now BHASVIC's main hall. On Friday 9 November at noon there was a full ceremony, with the Reveille following 'The Last Post' by lone trumpeter, student Alex Baker and wreath laying by Christopher Bennett from the Past & Present Association. Also in attendance were cadets in full uniform plus the British Legion with standard and bearer.
World War 1 Commemorations at BHASVIC from BHASVIC on Vimeo.