The History Battlefields trip by Jessica and Poppy Y8 

Day 1 

Our big Battlefields adventure began very early at 4:15am, when we arrived at school with all our luggage feeling very nervous but excited. We had a lengthy trip via Le Shuttle before arriving in France. Our first activity was the Vimy Ridge Memorial which remembered 6,000 Canadian deaths aiding the French at Vimy Ridge. This was a key event in uniting Canada which was split between the French and British Canadians. The huge, white monument is split in two halves to represent it. Despite it being sad, the white stone made it feel peaceful and angelic. After a lunch stop, next was the Battle of the Somme (1916) memorial monument honouring around 310459 soldiers who had given their lives at the Somme. We were tasked with a photography competition with different categories for different themes and perspectives of the huge monument. Then we were back on the coach and heading to the Underground Museum where we could experience a recreation of a tunnel being bombed made real with lights and noise. We also saw military medals, grenades and uniforms on display. That night we stayed at a Youth Hostel where had to make our own beds which took us a little while! For dinner we ate at a small local restaurant, here we were given the chance to practise the French we have been learning in class. 

Day 2 

Day 2 began with breakfast at Youth Hostel and making our own sandwiches for lunch; lots of different ingredients. Our first stop this morning was the Battle of Arras underground hospital and caves, we wore helmets and had an audio guide as well as a tour guide to show us around with projections to show us the moment soldiers had to leave the tunnels. Then we arrived at a recreation of the WW1 Trenches while they were muddy and wet, we got to experience what soldiers had to fight through with lots of dark tunnels where you couldn’t see at all! We went to Tyne Cot memorial for the Battle of Passchendaele and saw lots of graves dedicated to different regiments such as New Zealand, West Yorkshire, Canada, a Jewish grave as well as Medical Corps regiment which had the staff Asclepius who is the Greek god of healing. There were some that were labelled ‘known unto God’ and patterned with a cross. This honours the soldiers that fought but were never found or recognised personally. Ypres WW1 museum also known as Flander field museum, which we were given audio guides for. It was incredibly informative and gave a Belgian perspective to the war. With lots of different uniforms for different countries and items that were used in the war. 

Afterwards, we headed to our hotel where we got to share rooms with only 2 other people, we got our own tv as well! 

We then had dinner at a restaurant, where we saw the full moon and had a tasty dinner of either spaghetti or chicken and chips. Yum! 

After Dinner, we visited Leonidas chocolate shop and bought presents for our families (and ourselves). Our school had a special deal where we got an extra bag of sweets. 

We walked to a huge, white arch (The Menin Gate) with names of lots of soldiers who had died and listened to the Last Post being played on trumpet while all the names of the lost soldiers were lit up.  

Day 3 

We had a fancy breakfast buffet at the hotel including lots of pastries and smoothies before packing up and getting ready for the last day! 

We travelled to Brugge as our final activity. First, we crossed a beautiful red bridge into the city, one of the many 42. We went on a fascinating boat tour where we were lucky enough to see the European Union College and the original St. John’s Hospital. The students were allowed to explore in groups with their friends to buy souvenirs and find some food to eat. Fun Fact: There are 72 swans in Brugge!  

After a long journey again via Le Shuttle, at 19:20 we arrived home exhausted but excited to tell our parents about our wonderful adventure!  

Jessica and Poppy Y8