First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme

A £5.3 million project was announced in 2013 by the Prime Minister, David Cameron and is designed to provide the opportunity for a minimum of two pupils and one teacher from every state funded secondary school in England to visit battlefields on the Western Front between 2014-19.  The battlefield tours are a key part of the Government's plans to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

Ahmed Tanvir and Hannah Usowicz had to submit a letter of application to their History teacher stating their reasons for being part of this exciting trip. Mr Leese the Head of Humanities, who is accompanying Hannah and Ahmed said that they were chosen because their letters showed a real passion for History, in particular WW1 and also had some personal connections with the fighting in WW1.

They set out early on Monday and arrived in Ypres in the afternoon. On their 1st day they will visit Flanders field museum, The Death cells at Poperinge and Lijssenthoek cemetery. They will also be attending the ceremony of the last post at the Menin Gate.

On Tuesday they will visit Neuve Chapelle to learn about the role troops from undivided India played in the first world war.

Ahmed layed a wreath to remember Indian soldiers at Neuve Chapelle.
Message reads " For the ones who suffered for us, we will always remember you"

They visited Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland, Sheffield and Thiepval memorials.

They also spent time at the Somme,  The danger tree pictured on the right is a famous marking point at the Somme. It marks the furthest distance the Newfoundlanders  made in their advance towards the German trenches.

Their activities last night involved comparing the differences and similarities between equipment of WW1 and the modern world. Ahmed was lucky enough to be chosen to try on some things.

They also looked at

• Is a preserved battlefield useful for learning about the First World War?
• Why was the attack on Serre on 1st July 1916 such a disaster for Pals? 
•  Is the Thiepval memorial important in shaping how we remember the Somme?
On Wednesday they visited Langemark and Tyne Cot cemeteries to look into how the German people remember their war dead. Both were exceptionally moving and so different in how they remember the dead. An amazing way to round off and unforgettable few days.