Battlefields 2018

Highcliffe History trip to Belgium and France!

Friday 29^th June

First stop at Le Touret military cemetery, where two students found names of their own ancestors on the panels.

Vermelles Military Cemetery. Two more students coming face-to-face with history.

The Canadian Memorial at the Vimy Ridge - a strategically very important piece of high ground, offering commanding views over the local countryside. The fighting here was very intense. Territory granted in perpetuity to the people of Canada by the French Nation, and an absolutely stunning situation.

At the Cabaret Rouge Military Cemetery, another Student makes contact with an ancestor under the blazing sun. A beautiful and thought-provoking place.

At Vis-en-Artois Military Cemetery, to give another student a chance to pay respects to a relative. Another beautiful, immaculate place.

Saturday June 30th

Day two begins with a visit to an absolutely fantastic subterranean museum in Albert - a cracking start to a full day!

Caberet Rouge Cemetery. Benjamin's Great Great Great Uncle brought us here.

Preparations underway for the anniversary celebrations at The Lochnagar Crater. La Grande Mine doing a fantastic job of maintaining the memorial.

Mr Earnshaw talking the students through the opening of the Battle of the Somme, at the Lochnagar Crater. Maps proving invaluable!

As always, it is beautiful at the Thiepval Memorial. A glorious day.

A fantastic, inspirational tour from Patrick at the Newfoundland Memorial near Beaumont-Hamel. Exceptional. Stories about individuals really hitting home. A very emotionally charged place.

Sunday July 1^st

Day three on the Battlefields Trip, and we are in Flanders‘ Fields. A beautiful morning. First stop is Essex Farm Military Cemetery.

Memorial Museum Passchendaele - a fascinating tour and respite from the extreme weather!

A tour of Tyne Cot Military Cemetery. The scale of the place is simply awe-inspiring.The Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. Emotional scenes, and tremendously proud of our wreath party.