Ypres - 2008
Date: Thursday 14 February 2008
Part of the annual programme for all members of the Lower Fifth year group is an excursion to the Belgian town of Ypres, to visit the sites associated with three major battles of the First World War specifically in the context of the L5 course, and with the aim of trying to remind the current generation of the sacrifices made by their forefathers, now nearly a century ago, on battlefields such as those around Ypres.
This year's visit coincided with an attempt to draw attention to the School's only 'VC' winner, Benjamin Handley Geary, who was awarded his VC for bravery on Hill 60 just to the north of Ypres in April 1915. The pilgrimage did not include Hill 60, but may well do in future years, and followed the usual pattern of the day, visiting trench sites - the Yorkshire Trench - the brilliant 'In Flanders Fields' museum, and ending with a service of thanksgiving and the laying of a wreath at Tyne Cot cemetary.
For members of staff making yet another visit to Ypres, this year's excursion was as moving as ever; I just hope that the youngsters in the party, brought up in the apparent security of a 'war-free' Britain, gained as much from a day on the 'Western Front' as every generation should.
