It was a gloomy, mild Friday. The usual hustle and bustle of a busy campus was strangely absent – instead the ancient brick buildings and gardens were empty and silent. 

Autumn’s colourful display was past its best. The trees barren, leaves frolicking amongst the ground as they fall like soldiers fell on the grounds of the Somme. 

The 11^th November armistice marked at the university by a solitary wreath laid in the middle of the Quad. The wreath encompassed just like the fields of Belgium where so many British soldiers were laid to rest in unmarked graves.  

104 years since the end of the First World War marked nationwide by silence and poppies.  

The university of York St John’s located on the edge of the old city experienced the war and memories will be evoked from the university buildings.  

During the war 84 former students of YSJ died between 1914 and 1919 and all had trained to be teachers in years gone by, with some even working in schools. 

Former students who passed such as Frank Hunsley who was one of three brothers to die or Albert Harris whose son was born three days before his demise.  

Edward Fairless and Matthew Fullerton are buried in adjoining graves having fought together at St Vaast Post Military Cemetery in France. 

Charles Slack died a day after the armistice and John Joseph Moore was the eldest former student to tragically meet his end in the war, having been a headteacher in County Durham prior to this.  

Many students were awarded medals for their bravery in the war with John Harrison being posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. 

These students, who once sat where you are today will never be forgotten by those at the university. 

Originally Written: 11th November 2022