Page 16 - QARANC Vol 15 No 2 2017

14 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Never Such Innocence Awards
Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks,
Birdcage Walk, Westminster
On 26 May, less than 72 hours after children and adolescents had been the target of a terror attack at a Manchester concert, I had the privilege of representing 208 Field Hospital (V) at the Never Such Innocence children’s’ award ceremony at Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London. The Never Such Innocence charity was founded in 2014 by Lady Lucy French, great-granddaughter of Field Marshal Sir John French who commanded the British Expeditionary Forces from 1914-15.
Her aim was to mark the centenary of the Great War in a way that engaged youngsters, bringing history to life through art, poetry and music. In doing so, Lady Lucy is ensuring a legacy of remembrance for future generations. The charity’s educational team hold a series of roadshows for schools across Britain to promote their annual poetry, art and song competition. They also deliver songwriting workshops that inspire thought and discussion about the impact of the First World War on both individual soldiers, (often not much older than the children themselves), and the global effects of the conflict.
The educational team introduce themes such as medicine and the role of animals in war as a counterpoint to the horror and tragedy of human suffering. Accounts of heroism in medicine and advances in healthcare resulting from experiences during the Great War can positively reinforce the role of the AMS today. In representing QARANC and the broader AMS, I assure the children of the value placed on human life by the Armed Forces and illustrate how the lessons of the past have informed current military operations.
Each year, the charity organises a poetry and art competition so that children can explore the themes of conflict. The charity also provides a comprehensive teaching resource pack that can be downloaded from the website. This e-resource has opened the competition up to international entrants from places as diverse as Malaysia, Canada and Romania. The charity hosted international winners and it was a great honour to meet the children who had been inspired to produce such accomplished works.
Now in its third year, the charity has introduced a music category, in association with Dave Stewart Entertainment. An app has been developed to support youngsters in producing
General Sir Gordon Messenger, Vice Chief of Defence Staff who presented the awards
The winners gather outside the Chapel in the sunshine
music and lyrics. The charity’s aspiration is to compile a ‘Songs of the Centenary’ album in 2018. A breathtaking performance of the winning entry, ‘Fighting on my Own’ was given by Lara Vujasevic, aged 15.
The competition was judged this year by a diverse panel of academics, authors, historians and military figures. Maj Barry Alexander (QARANC – Retd), acclaimed author of On Afghanistan’s Plains: Courage and Compassion on the Front Line, was amongst the poetry judges. The judges in each of the categories unanimously related their agony in trying to select winners from such quality entries. The emotional intelligence and creativity of the pieces are overwhelming. They can be viewed online at neversuchinnocence.com.
Although the terror threat had been raised to critical, the children came to London for a special experience in a standout location. Lady Lucy and her team worked unstintingly to ensure that the winners were the ‘stars of the day’. This act of communal remembrance, which spanned generations, was both poignant and filled with optimism. As the charity enters its final year of Great War centenary commemorations, its success can be measured by the talent it inspires.
Capt Janet Jordan
208 Field Hospital (V) Liverpool
Inside Guards’ Chapel