St Mary’s University and the Royal Artillery Unite for Remembrance Rugby Event

St Mary’s University, London, welcomed the Royal Artillery yesterday for a special double-header Remembrance Rugby event, bringing together students, service members, and the wider community, to honour Remembrance through sport.

The day, part of the University’s 175^th anniversary celebrations, reflected the shared values of discipline, integrity and loyalty that unite both the Armed Forces and the University’s sporting community. The event also marked a strengthening of ties between the two sides, with hopes that the fixture will become an annual tradition.

The day began with a Remembrance Service, featuring readings and hymns, a military performance of The Last Post, a two-minute silence at 11am, and a piper playing a traditional lament. The service was followed by Women’s and Men’s rugby matches, both played in a spirit of unity and respect.

Before each game, players were led onto the field by a military bagpiper, stood for the National Anthem, and were greeted by Vice-Chancellor Prof Anthony McClaran, General Sir Andrew Gregory, Colonel Martin Wells, and Head of Sport at St Mary’s, Andrew Reid-Smith.

In the Women’s Match, the Royal Artillery – known as the Gunners – secured a hard-fought 35-21 victory. The Men’s Royal Artillery also triumphed in the second match, winning 38-24. Each team was presented with the Remembrance Cup in recognition of their win.

Prof Anthony McClaran, Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, said “This event embodied the values that both St Mary’s and the Royal Artillery hold dearly – unity, respect, and resilience. Through sport, we honour those who served, and we celebrate the strength and community that Remembrance inspires.”

Colonel Martin Wells, Chair of Royal Artillery Rugby, added, “The inaugural ‘Rugby for Remembrance’ fixture between St Mary’s and the Royal Regiment of Artillery honoured all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict. The day championed our shared values of courage, discipline, self-sacrifice, and camaraderie – combining the pursuit of sporting and education excellence, with solemn commemoration. We eagerly anticipate the return fixture in 2026 – to be held at home of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, in Larkhill. We would be honoured to host the Red Roses too – and extend a warm invitation.”

The event followed a pre-match training day held earlier in the autumn by the University, where St Mary’s students joined the Royal Artillery players for strength and conditioning sessions, a keynote talk on resilience, and an introduction to military rugby training methods, deepening the partnership between the two sides.

As part of the University’s remembrance commemorations, the names of St Mary’s students lost in the First and Second World Wars will be read aloud during Masses in St Mary’s Chapel this Sunday.