Students lay wreaths on Battlefields trip

GCSE History students took part in a number of wreath-laying ceremonies during their Battlefields trip. The five-day trip included visits to Vimy Ridge, the Menin Gate, Wellington Quarry, Ypres and the Somme battlefield.

The party was lucky enough to meet members of the Cambridgeshire Regiment at the Menin Gate ceremony and were invited to visit the newly un-veiled Cambridgeshire Regiment memorial.

Another highlight was a visit to Talbot House in Poperinge. Thousands of British soldiers passed through Talbot House during the three years it was open from the end of 1915. It was a place where rank was left at the front door. There was always an urn of tea on the go. There were books and comfortable chairs. There was even a chapel furnished by the soldiers in the hop loft at the top of the house. In spite of the rumble of the guns in the distance, it was a quiet and unique place behind the British lines where men could spend time relaxing, writing letters and meeting with serving friends, brothers and fathers, in what must have felt like a British “home-from-home”.

The students were accompanied by Mr Christie, Ms Ward, Ms Salih, Ms Price and Ms Hields and were complimented on their attitude and good behaviour by their tour guides.