A TRIP TO REMEMBER

Battlefields 1

We started the term with two Battlefields trips, on the weekends of 16th-18th and 23rd-25th September. The World War I Centenary History Trips were to France and Belgium, visiting the Battlefields and experiencing other historic places. Our Year 8 & 9 students, accompanied by five members of staff, embarked on what was to be a memorable, emotional and enjoyable journeys.

After crossing the Channel and settling in to our accommodation, we travelled to the town of Ieper (Ypres) in Belgium where we were privileged to participate in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.  The Menin Gate records the names of 54,389 fallen soldiers from World War One who have no known grave.  The last post ceremony has been held here every night at 8pm since 1928.  We took part in the ceremony, laying a wreath on behalf of the school.

 On the Sunday morning we visited Langemarck and Tyne Cot Cemeteries.  We were all moved by the sight of the many graves of those who had lost their lives during the conflict. A visit to the Passchendaele Museum enabled us to gain an insight into the lives of soldiers during WWI and gain a sense of trench life.

 The afternoon was spent visiting Essex Farm Dressing Station and the town of Ypres.  At Essex Farm we visited the grave of Valentine Strudwick from Dorking who died at the age of 15 and listened to the famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ at the place it was written by John McCrae.  In Ypres we had the opportunity to try the famous Belgian chocolate and buy presents for family and friends.

Sunday evening was spent relaxing, playing football and table tennis, as well as trying escargot (snails) during our evening meal!  Our final visits of the trip were around the town of Arras.  We were shocked to see how the landscape surrounding the Vimy Ridge Memorial still showed the scars of the shelling that had taken place during WWI, we were amazed to hear the stories of how soldiers had tunnelled under the town to create the element of surprise during the Battle of Arras.

Our visit to Wellington Quarry allowed us to experience these tunnels and see the underground conditions in which 24,000 soldiers had lived for eight days ahead of the battle. Students and staff alike learnt much from this trip and will hold the memory of all they saw and experienced for many years to come.

 

 

Written by SMS News
Posted on: 16/10/2017