St Mary’s Catholic High School / 5 Nov
Flanders Trip Day 2:
Coach 1
Today has been a very special, very busy day. After breakfast in our hotel, we made our way to the Passchendaele Museum. This is a beautiful site that hosts what can only be described as an immersive experience: there are real uniforms to see; videos to watch; screens to interact with; opportunities to smell artefacts; the chance to walk through a fully-recreated bunker; and even mock trenches that our pupils could duck down through. The time here really brought the war to life for many.
From the museum, we travelled into Ypres to see the great Cloth Hall and the Menin Gate (where we would return to later) before visiting the highlight of the trip for many: the Belgium chocolate shop! After spending a small fortune there, we had some lunch and free time in the wonderful town of Ypres, before heading to St George’s memorial church and the Ramparts cemetery.
We were able to visit two pupils’ relatives as part of our trip today, too. Matty got to pay his respects and leave a cross at the grave, and Alex was also able to trace his ancestor’s name on the giant walls at the Menin Gate.
Staff have been able to fill us in on the significance and meaning behind these sites, as well as some of the horrifying statistics that colour this area’s importance during WW1.
Coach 2
After breakfast this morning, we visited Poperinge. We started by visiting a shooting post to explain what could have happened to British soldiers who failed to follow orders. Here, pupils explored the cells where soldiers were kept for poor behaviour.
From there, we were able to take in Talbot House, an ‘every man’s house’ that allowed soldiers some rest and recuperation from the front line, as well as a chance to build a relationship with God. As is tradition, we had cups of tea, tinkled the ivories on the piano and climbed the rickety stairs to the chapel in the attic.
We then headed on to Hill 60 for a spot of lunch on the coach.
At the Sanctuary Wood Museum, the pupils were able to walk through what are reportedly actual trenches that were once part of the British front line, as well as musing at the many exhibits.
Our trip today also allowed us to visit Tyne Cot, the largest commonwealth war grave cemetery in the world, where we were able to pay our respects to the remarkable 35,000 names of the missing on the back walls of the cemetery. It was here that we heard about Robert Cyril Riggott’s death and heard his story near his grave.
As the sun was setting, we made the last visit of the day to the German cemetery in Langemark. In total, there are about 44,000 burials in the graveyard, in what is a very dark and dismal surrounding. The pupils were really shocked at the scale or the plaques with the names of the soldiers buried in the crypt and could see how different the cemetery was from the Commonwealth graveyards we visit this week.
Anya was able to visit the grave of her relative to pay her respects. It was lovely to see so many of their friends supporting her in doing so, in what are quite small, lesser-known cemeteries around the Ypres salient.
Both Coaches
After a quick turnaround to change at the hotel, both coaches enjoyed a delicious evening meal together in Ypres, before attending the Menin Gate ceremony where the Last Post is played.
Anya and Matty did a superb job, laying the wreath and taking part with confidence and composure. It is something that they are sure to never forget. They represented our school in their uniforms with pride.
We have another busy day planned tomorrow, but, for today, what has been really noticeable is just how many thoughtful observations the pupils have made. This, coupled with their sensitive questions, is making the trip all the more fulfilling.
