BATTLEFIELDS TRIP

It has been 106 years since the Battle of Arras. Its importance, as well as that of studying the First World War in general, remains today. It was, therefore, one of the focuses of the Battlefields Trip undertaken by 42 Withington pupils. At 5am on Thursday 30th March, pupils from Years 10, 11, 12 and I (the sole representative of Year 13) set out for France and Belgium to explore the complexities and nuances enshrined within one of the greatest conflicts in history. Joining and leading us was Mrs Air, Mrs Kimpton-Smith, Mrs Wallis, and Madame Menzies, as well as John Lee, an outstanding historian and writer. John’s knowledge of World War One and its aftermath is vast and impeccable, leaving us all simultaneously well-informed and in awe. His expertise shaped the trip; we could not be more grateful to him.

Across four days, we looked at various types of historic sites to obtain a holistic understanding of WWI, its origins and consequences. Cemeteries and memorials played a key role in our comprehension of the loss of life that occurred during the war, as well as the difficulties of acknowledging this after its end. We visited Thiepval Memorial, the largest memorial to the missing, with over 72,000 names on it. Not only did its sheer size convey the scale of loss, but also the 600 graves alongside it, many of which were inscribed with ‘A Soldier of the Great War, Known Unto God’ or ‘inconnu’ (‘unknown’, as on the French graves). We saw Essex Farm Cemetery, where I was honoured with the task of reading ‘In Flanders Fields’, Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial, and the Liverpool and Manchester Pals Memorial, which proved an evocative reminder of home. At the Menin Gate, we heard the ‘Last Post’ played, as it has been at 8pm since 1928. John taught us the significance of features of the cemeteries and memorials, like the Cross of Sacrifice and the Stone of Remembrance, and he emphasised the importance of individuals and their stories, such as Valentine Joe Strudwick, who had lied about his age to enlist and was only 15 when he died. It is remembering the individual that is crucial.

In contrast, we visited two German cemeteries, Langemark Cemetery and Neuville-St Vaast Cemetery, which were markedly different from the British cemeteries. Indeed, exploring the efforts of other nations in the war was a vital part of the trip. We visited the Memorial for Indian Soldiers, the Nepalese Ghurka Monument, Ulster Tower (for Northern Irish soldiers), and two Canadian memorials: the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. For a look at what the war was like for the soldiers themselves, we walked through a mock trench at the Hooge Crater Museum, viewed the Lochnagar Crater, and toured the tunnels where soldiers lived in the week leading up to the Battle of Arras at the Carrière Wellington Museum. Most comprehensive of all was the In Flanders Fields Museum, where we were given poppy bracelets that allowed us to interact with the exhibits. In total, these cemeteries, memorials, and museums thoroughly immersed us in the history and importance of WWI. Our base of operations during the trip was the Hotel Hinterland in Alveringem. There, we enjoyed three course meals and evening entertainment, including games and quizzes. We also visited the Belgian chocolatier Leonidas and nearly bought the whole shop. The trip was also not without its amusing moments. Clearly looking very lost on the way to the Liverpool and Manchester

Pals Memorial, we were stopped by a man, who did not speak any English and tried to explain the way. Eventually, he hopped back into his own car and showed us how to get there. Without him, we might still be driving in circles around Montauban. We constantly found ourselves amidst heavy rain and wind, but we pushed through, suffering only from mild dampness and muddy trousers. On route to Vimy Ridge, the coach was chased and barked at by a local dog. Finally, our rallying cry throughout the trip was ‘Follow John!’, since he, undoubtedly, knew where we were going and it was said so many times that it became something of a trip joke. When we met before the trip, John told us that Withington had the number two spot on his list of favourite schools to take on tour. It was our mission to reach the number one spot. Shortly before leaving us, John told us that we had not only reached number one, but smashed the record entirely. It was difficult for everyone to say goodbye.

What I have taken from this trip is immense and hard to summarise. I have learned about WWI in an immersive and powerful way and have tried, through various scribbles in a notebook, to remember even a fraction of everything I have been taught across those four days. What also stood out to me was the sensitivity and care with which all of the younger years approached the trip and its themes. At times, mostly due to the weather and the topics we discussed, it was difficult, but our perseverance only strengthened our enjoyment. I am pleased that I can proudly declare how wonderful my last school trip at Withington was, and I would like to profusely thank all of the teachers and John for ensuring it was so.