Discovering the trenches

Earlier this month, girls from Year 9 had the opportunity to discover the First World War battlefields of Belgium. As 2014 is the centenary of the Great War, this was a particularly poignant time to visit.

Their first stop was Lijssenthoek Cemetery where the girls learnt about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Meghan D and Lucy M were able to lay wooden poppy crosses at the graves of their own relatives who were commemorated there. Following the cemetery the girls visited the Essex Farm dressing station, a site where army surgeon John McCrae wrote the well-known poem “In Flanders Fields”. They then went onto the reconstructed trench system at Bayernwald where they found out what the conditions of the trenches were like and how the soldiers lived during their time there.

In the afternoon the girls visited Passchendale. Katie-Jo N volunteered to dress in a uniform worn during the Great War, complete with heavy backpack and Lee-Enfield rifle. They are also had the chance to participate in the wreath laying ceremony at Menin Gate in Ypres. Katie P, Abigail M and Isabelle M, who have close family ties with the military, were given the opportunity to lay the wreath.

The following are comments from some of the girls who took part in the trip:

• “It was an amazing experience, it’s something that I think everyone should have a chance to participate in.” Ruby B
• “My favourite part of the trip was getting to lay a wreath at the Menin Gate. Having military in my family; it made the trip really special.” Abigail M
• “My favourite moment of the trip has got to be seeing my great, great uncle’s name on the wall and laying a cross for him to show my respect.” Harriet W

   

For more information contact:
Rebecca Conroy, Senior Marketing Executive, Pipers Corner School. Telephone 01494 719850 or email [email protected]
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