Matthew felt immense pride as the RSA started their march through the archway at the Horse Guards parade ground where they were greeted by thousands of people lining the street and clapping. Once in position, the ceremony started, and silence fell through the crowds. On the chime of Big Ben and the firing of the cannon, the 2 minutes silence began. On completion of the wreath laying, it was their turn to march past the Cenotaph.
A few days before, Matthew was asked by his son’s Primary school to talk to the class about what remembrance means to him. He was subsequently invited back to speak to the whole school in two separate assemblies, one for years 1-3 and a second for years 4-7. Matthew covered the subject of remembrance and its change from Armistice as well as the significance of the poppy, it’s colours and why the Scottish poppy is different. For the older group, he shared the story of The Unknown Warrior, the secrecy behind it and details of the coffin in which he is entombed at Westminster Abbey.
Matthew used his Amey social impact days to visit the school and said: “As a give back to the community, this was pretty special to me.”