Academy pupils return from Battlefield
by Jack Morrison • Published 7 Sep 2012 09:30
0 Comments
SUMMER saw pupils taking off to France on a trip with the History department to the battlefields of the First World War.
We first went to Newfoundland Park which was where the first Canadian battle took place where Canadian soldiers fought the Germans. It was a Canadian maintained park and has the special feature of being a part of Canada, a fine token of respect by the French government, I felt.
On the second day we visited both Hill 62 and the war museum at Passchendaele. Hill 62 was where miners tunnel under the German lines to plant explosives whilst the Germans tried to tunnel under the British lines at the same time. This resulted in huge craters dotted all over the countryside of the surrounding area due to the large explosions. This hill is also a part of Canada.
The war museum at Passchendaele was fantastic, having relics from the times still almost intact. Iit is based inside an old church and is definitely worth the price of admission if you should ever find yourself in that area.
The last battlefield we visited Vimy Ridge was which is where the Battle of the Somme took place. Whilst there, we also visited the massive war monument at Theipval which has 7000 named graves and many many more unnamed.
Throughout our five day stay we stayed at le Chateu d'Ebblighem which had fantastic accommodation. The food was superb and even the beds, some people said, were the comfiest beds they had ever slept in! Overall, this trip was fantastic. Thank you, too, all the staff at the Academy for setting it all up.
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 07 Sep 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
******
Sep 7, 11:05
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
Border Telegraph Poll
Do you think community councillors should support plans to spend £5,500 on a new lamp post in Galashiels to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee? See this week's Border Telegraph for more details.
This Poll is now closed.
Yes (17.1%)
No (70.7%)
Only if it lights up the whole of Gala (12.2%)
