Concordia 25_cover section.indd

Concordia Winter 2022

Earlier this year we wrote to Old Merchant Taylors to ask for their memories of the passing of George VI and the accession of the late Queen Elizabeth II. We were struck by the vividness of these memories, boys remembering which lesson they were in when the sad news reached us here at Sandy Lodge. It was thus very poignant that within such a short term we should be mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. Here are some of the tributes in the school’s Book of Condolence. Condolence The Book of

36

May you rest in peace, reunited with your beloved Prince Philip. Bhupinder Singh Bassan (Class of 1988) Her Majesty's memory will remain alive in many ways. I will remember our short conversation in 1997 at Buckingham Palace, even though there were so many people to meet she was genuinely interested in the work that I was doing at the time. Matthew Miller (Class of 1989) I was visiting London from Japan when Her Majesty passed away. I was in a packed Mayfair pub when the background music was turned off for the BBC on theTVs. The entire pub stood in silence to listen to the solemn news - it was really quite moving. I watched the utterly magnificent, historic funeral at home inTokyo with my family. She will be remembered very fondly as a constant in all our lives. May she rest in peace. Mark McKinley (Class of 1998) You gave your life to serve others, yet gave purpose to many. Thank you for your service and unfaltering dedication over so many years.You will be missed. May you rest in peace. David Allard (Class of 1949) An outstanding reign following the death of King GeorgeVI who died whilst I was doing my national service inTrieste in 1952. Tony Coulson (Class of 1950) I thank God for the life and dedication of Queen Elizabeth II. She came to the throne just over a year after I left school and died when I had been retired 25

of reconciliation and peace, a uniting force for good and prosperity, a rock of strength and unwavering faith, a leader that stayed the course for 70 years and took the Union Flag across the entire world, a person who many of us had always associated with the British Crown and could not possibly think a day would come where she would eventually would have to depart the earthly cares. A joyful day, as her soul for the first time is making her way to become reconciled with and witness the eternal light of Almighty God. Let us all pray that over the next 40 days her soul overcomes all the hoops and obstacles and arrives to her end destination, a place of eternal glory, peace and joy completely unscathed. Amen. William Hornsby-Martinez (Class of 2011) Thank you to Her Late Majesty for her dedicated service and admirable sense of duty to the UK and the Commonwealth for over 70 years. An inspirational ideal for us all to strive for in our own duties and responsibilities. Ian Parsley (Class of 1995) In grateful memory for so many decades of service and duty. My father had the great honour of marching on the Coronation, in what seemed like a completely different world. This just shows the scale of how constant Her Majesty was. Rishi Shah (Class of 2017) Thank you for your service over your lifetime.Your positive influence reached people and places across the globe.

Gavin Manmathan (Class of 2000) It is with great sadness and regret that we bid farewell to an incredible lady, the likes of which we will not see in ours or our children’s lifetime! She was an incredible leader and had lessons to teach us all. I was working at the heart attack centre that she and her husband knew so well when we heard the tragic news, and there was a quiet and sombre mood as we carried on with work treating our patients. May she live on strong in the memories of the British people and in the lives of the people she touched. Paul Massara (Class of 1984) We are grateful for your many years of constant service, wisdom, faith and leadership.Your leadership was a role model for us all.You will be missed. Mike Gimpel Manicardi (Class of 1970) It is an honour to note what a brilliant example our wonderful Queen Elizabeth II was to the whole world. Duty and Service all her life. To her last day. Peter Holloway (Class of 1964) She was an example to all of us. I wish the world was more like her. Alexandros-George Kyriakou (Class of 1995) The recent news of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II has been the dominant theme of all media in the UK and across the world for all the rightful reasons. 10th September is indeed a day of mixed feelings and plentiful reflection. A sad day because our beloved Queen, an emblem of Britishness, a flag carrier