Article: Mr Glock (History Department)
Photos: Miss Gregory (History Department)
Yr 9 went on a combined English & History trip to the Western Front battlefields in France and Belgium. The students heard from guides on the trip about the wartime experiences of a number of famous war poets, including Siegfried Sassoon, Wilfred Owen and Rupert Brooke. The girls also analysed some of poems which recounted experiences during the war.
They visited a number of battlefield cemeteries, including those at Lijssenthoek and Essex Farm, which was also a dressing station for battlefield casualties. All the girls attended a last post ceremony in Ypres at the Menin Gate, where four girls from the school placed a poppy wreath to commemorate the sacrifices of the First World War and of all subsequent wars. The girls and the staff who went on the trip found it a most moving experience.
Website sub-editor: Gina Sternberg Yr 11
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Account: Freya Carroll Yr 9
All was quiet on the Western Front. The sky was blue and the birds were singing.
Then Yr 9 from NLCS arrived on the scene.
We set off at 6am-sleeping, listening to music and annoying our neighbours. After arriving in France by train, we travelled through Belgium to our first point of destination-a cemetery.
Rows upon rows of tombstones loomed in the distance as we approached. Several of us were afraid of walking on the grass, as people were buried underneath. Some stones had no names on, just ‘here lies a soldier of God'.
My favourite experience was at the Menin gate. Three other girls and I were asked to lay a wreath on the steps. Everything was quiet. The buglers played. We walked forwards and placed it on the ground. Being the only ones moving in a silent courtyard was a slightly scary yet remarkable experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and I wish that I could do it again.
Image Gallery: Click any of the thumbnails below to see the full version.
