Wellington School Pupil in the Presence of Her Majesty The Queen
29 Apr 2015
A Wellington School pupil was selected from thousands of young people to appear before Her Majesty The Queen at a national remembrance service. Sixth Former James McDermott, attended the service on Saturday, 25th April at the Cenotaph in London, to mark the 100th anniversary of The Battle of Gallipoli.
James was selected to recite a poem by The Australian World War 1 Poet, Leon Gellert.
The poem, entitled “The Attack At Dawn” was read to a hushed crowd of several thousand onlookers who crowded Whitehall.
The Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and Guards Divisions – a massive 250 musicians – played music throughout the 90 minute ceremony.
One of the pieces played by The Bands was “Remembering Gallipoli” which has been composed by James’ father, Michael. The piece incorporates the hymn, “O Valiant Hearts” and it is then that James recited the poem:
James’ father, Michael McDermott, was commissioned by The Royal Marines to compose a 14 minute piece of programme music commemorating the ‘Battle of Gallipoli’ which was performed at The Royal Albert Hall for three consecutive nights in April.
Contained within the piece was a hymn, “O Valiant Hearts” over which, a poem was to be recited and Michael suggested that James should do the reading.
After considering Michael’s suggestion that James should perform the reading at The Royal Albert Hall, the Colonel in charge suggested that “we should go one better” and invite James to read at the Cenotaph in London, which is where the 100th anniversary of the battle was commemorated in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and on live television in front of 25,000,000 viewers through the globe.
Rehearsals took place in Wellington Barracks on 23rd April (St. Georges’ Day) in various locations such as the NAFFI, gymnasium and parade ground where replicas of the Cenotaph steps had been reproduced to aquaint the readers with their surroundings.
James was visited by a vocal coach on several occasions to help with the delivery of the poem and was asked to wear his CCF RAF uniform which would serve to represent the future Armed Forces generations of the United Kingdom.
The difference between James’ piece and the other readings, was that it had to be delivered in time with the music so that it ended at just the right moment to achieve the effect for which it had been designed.
“This is a tremendous honour” commented James. I have been selected as part of the school CCF contingent and am delighted to be appearing in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. It is especially poignant to be reading alongside my father’s composition – the family are all very proud,” concluded James.
The event was also televised live on BBC 1.
Photo: James McDermott reads at the Cenotaph in front of HM The Queen