An enlightening Battlefields Tour for the 3^rd Form...

Most of the footage in this video was filmed by pupil, Talullah.

Flickr album: 3rd Form Battlefields Tour - October 2023 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

A big writeup of the trip will feature in the Dolphin 2024, but in the meantime, here's what the pupils and staff had to say...

Iona
I really enjoyed visiting the trenches at Vimy Ridge and Beaumont Hamel on the Somme. It was really interesting to see what they would really be like and how brave and scared the soldiers must have been.

Luke
I was so pleased to finally find the grave of my ancestor at Mendinghem Military Cemetery (the very first one we visited). Several years ago, my family had looked for it in other cemeteries in the area but we had no luck. Finding the grave of my Great Great Great Uncle, Second Lieutenant Herbert Aidan Walters of the Royal Air Force (died 7^th April 1918, aged 25) was a powerful experience for me. I am so pleased I was able to honour his brave service and pay my respects.

Tilly
I thought that going to the Tyne Cot Cemetery was really beautiful and the significantly large amount of graves made me think about all the soldiers. Rev Bev’s service there felt very special. I also enjoyed laying a wreath on behalf of the School at the Menin Gate ceremony - that felt very special!

Euan
I've had so much fun on the Battlefields Tour. I've really enjoyed learning tonnes of history - walking through the trenches, going through the tunnels at Sanctuary Wood, and tracing soldiers steps from the Canadian trenches across no man's land to the German trenches at Newfoundland Park. It is amazing how much has been preserved. To see the shell holes men would have dived into for cover was fascinating. I find the history of WWI increasingly gripping. I must also say that I still can't get my head around how frightening and horrific it must have been for the brave men who fought.

Felicity
The Thiepval Memorial was absolutely beautiful. It was incredibly moving to see my ancestor’s name there, especially as it was the day before the anniversary of his death on the Somme. It really made me think.

Riley
I found the Tyne Cot Military Cemetery very moving - over 75% of the graves were unknown and many of them were from New Zealand where my ancestors are from. I also found visiting the Canadian locations such as Vimy Ridge and Newfoundland Park fascinating as my ancestor was Canadian and he fought in the war.

Lulla
I loved when we went into the city of Ypres and saw the Cloth Hall, it was stunning when it was lit up in the sky at night. (I also loved the chocolate shop) The whole trip was so much fun.

Craig
I liked it when we went to the Zonnebeke museum because I learnt lots from the exhibits and had fun discovering the dugout and trenches. It felt like we were in the War!

Pip
I really enjoyed it when we watched the Menin Gate parade at Ypres. It was so interesting seeing everyone who came to pay their respects to the people who served throughout the War. I am so thankful that I got to experience it.

Mrs Simper
My favourite place on our trip was our visit to the Ulster Tower. Originating from Northern Ireland it is always so interesting for me to think about the enormous role Irishmen from the North and South played in the Battle of the Somme and First World War in general.
It also has been very rewarding to see the 3^rd Form pupils getting on so well with each other and establishing new friendships.

Rev Bev
This was one of the best Battlefields Tours I have been on. We were blessed with excellent weather and a fantastic group of 3^rd Form pupils who were engaged, enthusiastic, and good-humoured. I never fail to be fascinated by the history of the Great War and I am always reminded on these tours of the huge debt we owe those who gave their today for our tomorrow. Indeed, it is crucial we continue to remember and honour their service.

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