Students from Wilnecote School have returned home with a deeper understanding of history, following a three-day, emotionally resonant trip to the World War I battlefields and memorials of Belgium. The journey, an annual highlight for the school, saw pupils explore museums, walk through preserved trenches, and pay their respects at vast cemeteries.

Day One: Immersion in History

The adventure began with an early 3.30 am start, with the group finally arriving in Belgium around 1 pm. Their first stop was the Passchendaele 1917 Museum, where students engaged with a variety of artefacts before experiencing a chilling reconstruction of a WWI trench.

Following a sunny stroll through the memorial gardens, the educational journey took a dramatic turn at Tyne Cot Cemetery, the world’s largest Commonwealth cemetery. Students were reportedly “astounded by the scale” of the site, which commemorates over 12,000 fallen Commonwealth soldiers and 35,000 missing soldiers. The day concluded with a visit to Hill 60, where pupils explored the preserved, crater-filled landscape, including the colossal Caterpillar crater, before heading to their accommodation for dinner and games.

Day Two: Ypres, Chocolate, and Remembrance

Day two centered around the beautiful town of Ypres. The morning began at the Flanders Field Museum, where interactive poppy bracelets allowed students to follow the individual stories of soldiers. The mood lightened briefly with a popular visit to the Leonidas chocolate shop, a location the school famously last visited in 2007.

After lunch enjoyed in the beautifully sunny market square, the afternoon was dedicated to a three-hour medical evacuation tour around Ypres. The day reached its emotional peak at Lijssenthoek Cemetery, where Wilnecote students had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the school. The evening concluded with the poignant Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate at 8 pm, an experience described as deeply moving for all in attendance.

Day Three: Real Trenches and Solemn Farewells

The final day offered a truly immersive experience at the Sanctuary Wood Museum. After packing up, students were thrilled to explore the real trench system outside, walking through pitch-black tunnels, standing in craters, and witnessing the landscape utterly obliterated by war.

The group then visited Essex Farm Cemetery, which includes the grave of Valentine John Strudwick, a young soldier who was just 15 when he was killed, having joined up at the age of 14.

The final stop before the journey home was the small city of Poperinge, where students were shown the execution cells and hanging posts used to punish soldiers for desertion or cowardice during the war. After a final lunch, the students began the journey back to the port, taking with them memories and lessons that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.