Battlefields Trip
After our early departure from school at 5:00am, we arrived at Bayernwald trench system in Belgium at 14:00. Students were able to venture in and explore the maze of paths and trenches before we moved on to visit Hill 60. Here, they were taught about the underground war - the use of mine warfare in the Great War; the use of poison gas and its effects. Before our final stop we visited Tyne Cot, where students were able to pay their respects at the gravesite of soldiers from Ypres.
Students were then able to attend the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, which has been performed every night since 1928. It was an incredibly moving experience to hear poetry read and the performance of key songs from a military choir.
Battlefields 2025
Saturday started with an early rise so that we could visit Lochnagar Crater, part of the Battle of the Somme and a place where many explosives were used, and students were able to see the physical impact of the war. It was a quick trip over to Newfoundland Memorial Park, a Canadian Memorial to soldiers of the First World war, where students were taught about the attack of the Newfoundland Regiment 1 July 1916 - and were also able to see Cappuccino the cat!
Our visit continued with a stop for lunch and exploration of Sunken Lane and explanation of the attack of the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers and the difficulties of transporting the wounded before our final top: Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. Wavell students walked around the memorial and were able to read a poem and lay a memorial wreath to the fallen soldiers.
It was then time for a quick dinner and World War One soldier uniform tour (thank you, Jake, for volunteering!) at Auchonvillers before our ferry got us home early Sunday morning. The trip was a fantastic educational experience leaving students with a lot to think about.
