Far too early on the last day of term, 50 year 10 historians, non-historians and staff headed off to Belgium and France for the long-awaited battlefields tour. Basing ourselves in the medieval city of Ypres, which was totally destroyed during the conflict, pupils explored key battle sites, as well as a number of museums and cemeteries. Particular highlights for many included the newly opened 1917 Passchendaele museum which had an atmospheric and highly realistic set of bunkers and trenches to explore, as well as the serene beauty of Tynecot cemetery. The Canadian memorial park at Beaumont-Hamel was fascinating and a windy trip around the Lochnagar crater helped bring the realities of the fighting home.
Two pupils had the honour of laying a wreath to fallen OEs at the Menin Gate and many pupils located and paid their respects at the individual graves or memorials of OEs both in Ypres and the Somme. Thanks should be paid to Mr Tony Jones for helping identify these locations and sharing the stories of the mens’ time at school, which often drew laughs and added to the sense of connection. It was especially moving to find the graves of the ancestors of two of the group and allow them to pay their individual respects.
Pupils also enjoyed the delights of Ypres town and it was great to see groups digging into lunches of Belgian delicacies. The famous Peter de Groot chocolate shop did a roaring trade with pupils and staff alike and all came home laden with chocolate. It was a hugely successful and enjoyable trip and one that will stick in the memories of all who attended for many years.
Mrs J McIsaac, Head of the Middle School
