A TRIP TO REMEMBER - Written by Niamh Mason 9RVI

At the end of September over forty year 9 students went on a trip to France and Belgium to learn, see and understand more about the battlefields and memorials from World War 1. The trip was very interesting and also very shocking, due to all the terrible events and facts from the Great War.  On Saturday 24th September we went to the last post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres where we laid a wreath to show our respect. The ceremony itself was amazing! Throughout the trip we visited many different cemeteries where we were able to show our respect, these included; Tyne Cot cemetery, Essex Farm cemetery, Vimy Ridge and Langemark cemetery. Other places we visited were; Passchendaele Museum (where we were able to go in the trenches and dug-outs), Wellington Quarry (a huge underground tunnel where soldiers were in the war) and we also went to a shooting post where countries shot their own soldiers for being cowards.

On Saturday evening, we looked at artefacts, weapons and uniform from the war which I had to try on; although it was extremely hot and itchy. The trip was very sad due to all the heroic, unfortunate people who gave up their lives and fought for their country. We were able to learn lots from our tour guide, Will, who showed us so many places and gave us a wealth of interesting facts.

In addition to learning about the war, we were also able to visit a couple of Belgian chocolate shops where we bought lots of delicious chocolate.  What a great trip!

 

Posted on: 15/09/2016