Barry Comprehensive School

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Barry Comprehensive School’s Year 10 History students have just returned from a visit to the battlefields of the Western Front. Their visit coincided with the Ninetieth Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and included visits to many of the key sites associated with the battles of the First World War.

The group, consisting of 33 boys and four staff, stayed in accommodation just outside the town of Ypres. The first day was spent touring the Somme, visiting the Ulster Memorial and the Memorial to the Newfoundlanders at Beaumont-Hammel. The group were also visited a reconstruction of a First World War Army Camp receiving presentations from a number of officers in period uniform.

On the second day, the group visited Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing, the largest British military cemetery in the world and were privileged to participate in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate

The highlight of the final day was a visit to Poperinge, including the Shooting Post, the Death Cells and the museum at Talbot House.

Photos

1. The group visit a Scottish memorial at Beaumont-Hamel commemorating the Battle of the Somme
2. The boys explore one of the Yorkshire Regiment trenches near the Ypres Canal
3. At the Ulster Cemetary with staff from the Army Museum who were kitted out in period equipment for a Commemorative March on the 90th anniversary
4. A medical officer from the Army Museum treats an 'injured' volunteer
5. At The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
6. Presentation at the Talbot House Museum, Poperinge