WW1 Battlefields trip to Belgium and France
On the first of November, thirty-five of us excited students set off from the school in the early hours of the morning, bound for Ypres, Belgium.
Their first day was spent visiting historical sites around Ypres such as battle sites, trenches and war cemeteries, we were told stories about the likes of John Skinner [Leader of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers] and double Victoria cross winner Noel Chavasse. Some of us laid Poppy Crosses down on behalf of the school at the soldier’s headstones to show respect for their efforts in the war. As the day progressed, we arrived at the second largest Common Wealth War cemetery on the western front known as Lijssenthoek Military War Cemetery, there lies 10,783 men that gave up their life in the battle of Ypres Salient. The cemetery is also home to Nellie Spindler, a female nurse who was killed in the war, her heroic efforts during her time served made her a Victoria cross winner
Over the next few days, we crossed the border to France to visit the Somme, we visited some key sites where important battles were won by the Canadian Army and where land was claimed after 100 days by the Scottish Battalion. Several family visits were made where students commemorated their family members that fell in the Great War, they laid a poppy flower alongside a personal message, our wonderful tour guides, Mark and Lesley would read out a short message about their family member and their role in the war before the tributes were made. An emotional day was ended by 3 songs that were written about the horrors and tragic loss of the First World War and a sombre bus made its way back to Belgium.
This poignant trip was concluded as pupils attended the last post service at the Menin Gate where three of our students laid a wreath on behalf of the school and country whilst Kacee Knox played the Flower Of The Forest alongside the buglers in a service which was attended by over 1,000 people. A trip which will live long in the memory of the Academy Students
By Ben Durham and Edie Wight
