Battlefields Trip
HISTORY TRIP TO THE BELGIUM BATTLEFIELDS
through the eyes of our pupils.
A group of 34 pupils (from years 8-11) and 4 teachers (Mrs. Bowes, Mr. Fongwah, Mrs. Siddall and Mr. Vessey) went on a residential to the Belgium Battlefields during October half term. After an early start of 6:15am we traveled down to Dover to meet our Para-trooper guide Donald. We arrived at the hotel late afternoon and after a delicious 3 course meal we were given a speech on the local area we would be visiting and World War 1.
We had an early start on Sunday morning trying to forget the previous nights England rugby world cup final as we headed into Belgium from our hotel in France. As we traveled to our first point of interest we were shown several videos about life in the trenches which we would be visiting.
We arrived at the trenches which were situated in Sanctuary Wood and were allowed to walk through them and explore the surrounding area which was littered with shell holes from German attacking forces. After visiting Hill 62, Donald took us to see Hill 60 where we walked to a huge mine crater and looked in disbelief when Donald told us we would be visiting an even bigger one! The bigger crater was named the Pool of Peace and had been filled with water. We then moved on to visit several cemeteries both German and Commonwealth; one of these was Tyne Cot, the largest war cemetery in the world. Several people found relatives or people with the same name to place their cross next to, most people found this very moving and emotional. In comparison to the Commonwealth cemeteries we found the German cemeteries to have a much different atmosphere as there were not individual gravestones just plaques with up to 8 names on which were placed on the ground.
Later that day we visited Paschendale memorial war museum at a chateau and also Mesin Church where Hitler was treated in the crypt for his war wounds during the First World War. We then moved onto Ypres where we had some free time shopping and also our evening meal in a restaurant which would be followed by 3 Year 11 pupils placing a wreath at The Menin Gate in a memorial ceremony which takes place every evening. This ceremony was extremely moving for everyone as the atmosphere was very sombre as the ceremony is such an established event for the people affected by the war. Along with our 3 pupils there was a group of army officers and also a group of masons who complimented the pupils on their behaviour during the ceremony.
Monday, the final day, began with another early start. During the day we visited a dressing station at Essex Farm where the youngest soldier to be killed during the First World War, age 15, was buried and there was also a memorial to the West Riding Division where we had the group photo (shown below). After the visit to Essex Farm we traveled to Poperinge to visit the death cells where soldiers were kept before they were to be shot for cowardice, many of these soldiers were suffering from shell shock at the time and some were shot for falling asleep on duty. We also visited another cemetery containing the grave of Captain Noel Chevasse who was awarded two Victoria Crosses, the only man to do so during the First World War. Also in this commonwealth cemetery were 5 German graves containing bodies which had being found there and were buried there out of respect by the British. However they were easily recognisable as they had little inscription and differed in shape.
The final stop before we headed back to Calais was the highlight of the trip for some people, the chocolate factory! Ledoux Chocolaterie. Where everyone was given 5 euros from the teachers to spend inside the chocolate factory how they wished. It was then back to England where we dropped off Donald, our fascinating guide, at Dover and had a fun filled drive back to Castleford which included several quizzes, top tour awards and Bowes’ bingo! Everyone had a fantastic time;