Battlefields Bound: Beacon Boys Explore WW1 History

Last week, our Year 8 boys set off on a three day eye-opening trip back in time, to see the Battlefields of World War 1.

Day 1 involved travelling to Ypres in Belgium, visiting the Messines Museum and Hooge Crater where they took a walk through the trenches. The boys then paid their respects at Tyne Cot Cemetery and the German Cemetery at Langemark, where over 44,000 soldiers are burried. After enhancing their knowledge and history of these cemeteries and memorials, it was time for dinner and some well needed rest… but not before stocking up on some delicious Belgium chocolate!

Day 2 consisted of travelling to the area of the Somme where the boys visited Sunken Lane, Hawthorn Ridge, Newfoundland Park, Devonshire trench, Lochnagar Crater Ulster tower and the Thiepval memorial. The day was jam-packed and before you could say ‘Battlefields’ it was time for dinner already. After a delicious meal, the boys had a ‘show & tell’ where they dressed up as WW1 soldiers as the uniforms and army kit were explained to them. Following this, there was a talk on the evolution of gas warfare and the boys were able to try on replica masks so they could experience the feeling of wearing one.

During the last day, our boys got to visit the underground museum of Wellington Quarry; an immersive experience 20m under the cobblestones of Arras Memorial. The boys were fascinated to be down in the quarry and to hear the explanations about the history of the mining and the eventual battle. It was brilliantly brought to life using audio visual effects and original photos. 

The trip concluded at a visit to Vimy Ridge. After the war, the highest point of the ridge was the site chosen as the memorial of all the Canadian serviceman who gave their life to battle.

This trip was interspersed with poetry readings which really brought the words to life and enhanced our boys’ study of the literature and poets from this era. They listened to the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McRae – a Canadian doctor who fought in WW1 – and were really immersed into the words spoken.

An extremely busy, educational and insightful trip thoroughly enjoyed by all.