The Gatwick School, part of Aurora Academies Trust, recently hosted a moving Remembrance Service which brought together pupils, staff and esteemed guests to honour the sacrifices made by generations past and present.
Among the guests was George Durrant, a 101-year-old Second World War veteran who was accompanied by family members and the Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Sharmila Sivarajah.
Born in 1924 in Battersea, George lived through the Blitz where he assisted his father as an Air Raid Warden and later served with the Intelligence Corps in Burma during the Second World War. His service took him through the Middle East and Asia where he experienced jungle warfare and the resilience required of the 14th Army, also known as the “Forgotten Army”.
Following the war, George remained in India through Partition before returning home to England where he settled in Crawley and raised his family, and resumed his engineering career. His life stands as a lasting testament to the courage, duty and quiet strength of his generation.
During the service, pupils and staff were deeply moved by George’s recollections of wartime Britain and his reflections on the value of freedom and remembrance. The ceremony featured readings, performances and a moment of silence led by pupils at The Gatwick School including:
The event concluded with a Q&A, during which pupils asked thoughtful questions about George’s experiences and what lessons younger generations can take from them. George closed with the poignant Kohima Epitaph: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, ‘For your tomorrow, we gave our today.’”
Guests in attendance praised the service and the school’s pupils for their exceptional respect and maturity, and their contribution to the event.
Date Published: 16/11/2025