Senior School trip to the WW1 battlefields of Belgium and France

On Thursday, 5th May, 66 students and six teachers from Farlington and Sherfield School embarked upon a joint three-day trip to tour the battlefields of World War One. We travelled to Belgium and France by coach via the Eurotunnel. 

Our first stop was Lijssenthoek in Poperinge, Belgium - a casualty clearing station during WWI and now a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground. Not only was this an enlightening and humbling experience, it also provided valuable insights into the evacuation process and the Flanders medical set-up during the war.

The tours for the remainder of day one centred around the Ypres area and culminated, after an evening meal in the completely restored medieval village of Ypres, in a visit to the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. This moving ceremony takes place every evening at 7pm and even continued during lockdowns - albeit with a solo bugler. On the evening that we were there, many people turned up to pay their respects and listen to the ceremony in silence. 

We stayed at a fantastic hostel called the Peace Village, and the students made the most of their R&R on the field playing sports during the evening.

Our second day of tours took us to the Somme in France, where we visited Sunken Lane, Newfoundland Park and Thiepval Memorial. The students learnt about the Canadian regiments, the mines of 1st July, 1916 (in particular, Hawthorn Ridge) and the sacrifices at the Battle of the Somme and its many casualties. 

Our last day centred around Ypres once more, first learning about deserters at Poperinge and then on to the sombre and moving Langemark German cemetery, and finally the British cemetery of Tyne Cot. 

Some of our students had personal pilgrimages on the way, making private stops at relatives' gravesides, with our tour guides Rob and Sean from Anglia Tours providing many insights into the background of the battles, the surrounding areas and the conditions both sides would have fought in during the Great War. One of the most moving moments was recounting the evidence from a deserter’s file and the differing opinions about his sentencing at Poperinge. 

Our students were a credit to the Farlington community throughout the trip. They knew how to show respect, to ask questions and to relax at the end of long days learning about this momentous period in world history. They were also excellent ambassadors with our equally hospitable Sherfield guests, part of the Bellevue family.

Although tired upon our return, there was a camaraderie on Monday morning when we returned to school, having shared this memorable experience. We hope to organise another joint history trip next year and build on these strong foundations.

Many thanks to Mrs Newell and Mr Cronin for working so hard to ensure that this trip was such a success.