Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils travelled to Ypres in Belgium last week for the bi-annual Battlefields Trip. Pupils travelled by coach and ferry through France to the Salient area of Belgium to learn about the individual stories of soldiers and their families. First, we visited the German cemetery of Langemarck to find out the ethos behind this type of burial and to learn about the causes of WW1 and WW2. Then, we visited Vancouver Corner to investigate the effects of gas used in the war and the first type of gas masks used. We stopped for lunch in Passchendaele before visiting the museum to experience life in the communication trenches in WW1. Pupils also got an experience of army uniform and weaponry and were surprised how heavy the uniform felt. After the museum stop, we went to Tyne Cot Commonwealth Cemetery to learn about the different allies and nations that fought in the war. Some pupils were able to identify their family surname on the memorial there. We got on the coach to Ypres where we braved the hailstones to unpack in our accommodation.
Pupils went to the famous Leondias chocolatiers to purchase the renown Belgian chocolate before taking part in The Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate. It was incredibly moving to see the ceremony and hear the music under the memorial. We headed to the well-known Captain Cook restaurant for Belgian frites for dinner.
The next day, we had breakfast in the hotel and made our packed lunches for the day. We got on the coach to head for The Somme. The first stop was at Sunken Lane in where we learned of the under ground tunnelling that soldiers used to attack. Then we all headed to Newfoundland Memorial Park to learn about a small but significant community of people who signed up to fight in the war despite not having any formal training. We then travelled to the Lochnagar Crater which is still in existence today. This highlighted the impact of mine warfare in the Great War. We had lunch at The Ulster Tower where we learned about the story of the 26th Ulster Division. Finally, Lula and Lilly laid our Braeside wreath at Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and explored whether The Somme was a victory or not. Here we had time to reflect on what we had learned over the 2 days.
It was an amazing trip – we learned about France and Belgium, about the war and about all the individuals who risked their life for their country.
