History Expedition at The Battlefields
Last half-term, the Third Year pupils went on an unforgettable history trip that gave us a powerful insight into life in the trenches during the First World War and the struggles faced by the millions of soldiers who fought there.
When we arrived, full of excitement, we listened to three fascinating talks about different aspects of a soldier’s life. The first explored a soldier’s kit and tools, showing us everything from the basic items needed for survival to the heavy, woollen layers that made up their uniforms — which some of us even got to try on! We learned that although the soldiers were usually given enough food, it was incredibly repetitive, and they relied on endless cups of tea to keep their spirits up.
Next, we heard about the recruitment of soldiers at the start of the war, when hundreds of thousands of men volunteered inspired by patriotism and often encouraged by their friends. The final talk focused on the medical side of trench life, revealing the huge challenges of treating the wounded quickly and effectively in such harsh and dangerous conditions.
After the talks, we had the opportunity to explore the recreated trenches, which was my favourite part of the trip. It was both awe-inspiring and eye-opening to step into the cramped, muddy conditions where soldiers had lived for months on end. The experience was very interactive: we walked through the trenches as soldiers once did, rang the gas bell, looked through the periscope, climbed onto the fire step, and explored the supply dugouts. We even held a competition to see how many of us could squeeze into a sleeping dugout designed for just one person! Afterwards, we tried out the trench railway — a set of tracks and wagons that soldiers had to push to transport supplies, and sometimes even the injured.
After a quick lunch break, we ended the day with a visit to a nearby cemetery. It was a moving and reflective experience that reminded us of the immense sacrifices made by so many. Standing among the rows of gravestones made it clear that behind every statistic or history lesson were real people who fought and died for the future we have today. It was a solemn but meaningful end to a trip that truly changed the way we view the First World War.
