After breakfast, we got back in our coach to embark on what was to be the most emotionally charged day of the trip. Our first stop was in Poperinge, where we visited the ‘execution post’. Gemma, Caitlin, Erin, Jaimie and Niamh gave an excellent presentation here, and told us of how a number of soldiers were found guilty of things such as desertion and cowardice, and some were executed at dawn by firing squad there in the courtyard in Poperinge. We observed a few moments of silence to reflect and remember, and Johnny played ‘Flower of Scotland’ on the pipes.
Next stop was the German cemetery Langemark, in which over 44,000 German soldiers are commemorated. Over half of these lie in a mass grave in the middle of the cemetery. A very noticeable feature of the cemetery are four larger than life figures positioned directly opposite you as you enter the cemetery; these were sculpted from a picture of four German soldiers mourning the loss of a comrade. Aimee, Isla, Ellie H., Jodie and Ellie N. gave a presentation and laid a wreath. Johnny and Alice played ‘Amazing Grace’ on the pipes, and I think it is fair to say that many of us were hit by the scale of the tragedy, and at that moment we paid respect to all of the fallen, regardless of their nationality.
After lunch, we were off to visit the grave of Private J. Condon of the Royal Irish Regiment in Poelkapelle cemetery. He was killed on 24 May 1915, aged just 14 years. Finlay and Jake said a few words, and many of our pupils laid a small cross in remembrance. Given that many of our boys are 14 years old, it was difficult not to be affected by the loss of a boy so young, so far from home and in such horrific circumstances.
Next stop was Tyne Cot cemetery. It is difficult to describe the sea of white graves which you are faced with upon entrance. Twelve thousand British and Commonwealth soldiers are buried here. An overwhelming number of these men’s graves are marked simply ‘Unknown Soldier’. Our pipers played us into the cemetery, and Taylor, Katie, Robin, Cameron Lee and Oscar gave an excellent presentation.
Back to the hotel for dinner, and an extra special dessert for our Birthday girl Erin!
That evening we headed back into Ypres to the Menin Gate, for the Last Post Ceremony. The Menin Gate is a memorial to the missing of WW1, and has the names of 55,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers inscribed on its walls.
Every night at 8pm the buglers play the ‘Last Post’ in honour of the memory of those who died in the Ypres Salient during WW1. We were honoured to be involved in this ceremony, which on this occasion attracted around 800 spectators. The piper stood alongside the buglers, and once the ‘Last Post’ had been played, they piped the ‘Highland Cathedral’. Lauren and Tom had the great honour of laying a wreath on behalf of Forres Academy. And unexpectedly, Erin and Heather were also asked to lay a wreath on behalf of a lady, whom Erin had befriended earlier in the day after finding out the shared the same birthday! A birthday I think Erin will remember for a long time to come.
It was an emotional day in which I think most of us at one point or another shed a tear. We were extremely proud of the way that each and every pupil conducted themselves, and the level of respect they showed throughout the day.
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