MGGS marked the centenary of the end of the First World War with themed assemblies this week, some of which were led by our service children on the 100th centenary and a planned 2 minutes of silence for the whole school will take place on Monday, 12th November.
We also fondly remember former student Una Duncanson who attended the school from 1907 to 1909 and became a nurse in the Voluntary Aid Detachment during the First World War.
Unfortunately, whilst serving on HMS Osmanieh in 1917, the ship struck a mine in the entrance to the harbour at Alexandria in Egypt and sank very quickly and 199 lives were lost, including Una’s.
Doris Mayger (MGGS student 1914-1920) remembered Miss Kidd, Headteacher at the time, announcing the sad news at MGGS. Later a prize in Una’s honour was given to the school by the family to be awarded annually in her name. We still award the Una Duncanson prize each year at Speech Day for perseverance and success.
Sadly, Una’s two brothers also died during the First World War, Roy in 1916 and Ian in 1917. After the First World War the families of those who died in service received a memorial plaque. Over a million were issued to servicemen but only 600 to women. Una’s plaque was given to MGGS for safekeeping and sharing her story with our students.
Miss Stanley, Headteacher commented, “Both the First and Second World Wars had a huge impact on MGGS given its geographical location and our WWII tunnels. This week has been a time for the whole school to remember not only Una Duncanson and the lives lost in previous conflicts but also to acknowledge the contribution of current service personnel and our service students.”
