Jeppe Boys honour fallen heroes
Jeppe High School for Boys held its annual Armistice Day memorial service at the school on November 11.
The event has been held annually for the past 94 years and honours those who fell, or survived, the First and Second World Wars. The service was attended by representatives of other Jeppe Schools and numerous old scholars, of which a number served in World War 2 and are still alive. The event was also attended by representatives of the MOTHs, specifically the Dickie Fritz Shellhole which was named after two Jeppe Masters who lost their lives in Bardia, Libya, in WW2. The memorial service was also attended by the Last Post Shellhole.
Members of the South African National Defence Force were also in attendance, with members from all three branches being present. There was also a special detachment from the Transvaal Horse Artillery.
The service was officiated by retired Reverend Michael Gill from the Anglican Church, who is also a Deputy Principal at the school. His sermon focused on remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in fighting against tyranny so we can all enjoy the freedom we enjoy today. The service was a moving and fitting tribute to everyone who holds this day dear. It was especially fitting for the Jeppe Boys who remembered their fallen Jeppe brothers on the day. The service was planned by Mr Robert Faltermeier, an old boy and teacher at the school.
He also led the parade of Jeppe boys who are members of the St John’s Ambulance cadet corp and the South African Scout Association. The parade formed a guard of honour around the World War1 memorial for the duration of the service. The Jeppe Pipe Band, which is the oldest in the country, participated and led the parade. The pipe band was led by a Jeppe old boy, Mr Damien Pitman, who is also a teacher at the school. During the service, the roll of honour was read which included 170 names of Jeppe Boys and Masters, who died during the two World Wars. After the service, the parade of scouts, St John’s Cadets, Pipers, representatives of the armed forces and members of the public marched along Highland Road to the top of the nearby koppie to lay a wreath at the Scottish Horse War Memorial.
