Two old Bedians and former servicemen who had fought for their Country in World War Two returned to St Bede’s College to take part in its annual Armistice Day Service on Thursday November 11 at 11am in the College Memorial Chapel.
Tom Webster (Captain Tom Webster who served in the Royal Corps Signal Squad in France during the Second World War) and Tony Leeming (Able Seaman on HMS Mendip), are pictured above at the service.
Tony gave an address to the students and staff at the service in which he reflected upon his time during the war when he serving on the destroyer HMS Mendip in North Africa. He described in great detail how he survived an attack on the vessel by German Bombers.
Reverend Father Tony Dearman, a member of the College staff who conducted the service, said, “I was very impressed with the fact that so many people had given up their break to attend the service. They were spellbound listening to Tony’s speech.”
The College has always held an annual service to mark Armistice Day and to pay homage to those Old Bedians who have died in past and present conflicts. The Memorial Chapel is dedicated to those who were killed in the First and Second World Wars.
Thirteen year old student, Joe Stiles, played ‘The Last Post’ on the trumpet to mark the end of the service.
St Bede's College
Telephone: 44 (0)161 226 3323
