Durban schools join global Remembrance Day tributes to fallen soldiers

Durban and its schools joined millions around the world in commemorating Remembrance Day, which honours soldiers who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, and other conflicts. The solemn events across the city and local schools aimed to teach young people the importance of peace, bravery, and resilience.

As the clock struck 11am, a respectful silence fell over Durban, Northwood and Glenwood high schools, among others. The sound of the Last Post played by buglers rang through the school, followed by two minutes of silence — a gesture held in unity with many cities worldwide to remember the fallen soldiers.

Wreaths were laid by representatives from military groups, veterans’ organisations, and City officials, alongside tributes from family members of those who served.

Pupils wore paper poppies pinned to their uniforms, representing the flowers that grew on the battlefields after World War I. Many schools observed the two-minute silence and organised assemblies where pupils recited poems and shared stories of local heroes who served.

At Glenwood High School staff member Kevin Jordan, old boy Wally Coombe, Grade 8 learner Diego Pretorius and his grandfather Michael Lohr attended the annual Remembrance Day Service and Wreath Laying at the Durban Cenotaph. Twenty-six Glenwood Old Boys died in WWI and 126 in WWII. They also found the names of other old boys Harold Blanksby, Norman Kennedy and Basil McCabe on the memorial.