History Belgium

WW1: In the Footsteps of a Platoon Soldier

from £144pp

Based on 2 days

Suitable for Secondary Schools

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Overview

This WW1 Battlefields tour gives students the opportunity to step into the shoes of an Australian Platoon soldier and follow their trail during the war. Each student will be given the identity of a soldier that was actually there and they will learn their story and fate along the tour. As well as learning the historical context, students will learn about the landscape the soldiers walked, the literature they read and the morale they constantly endeavoured to boost.

In addition to this enriching experience, your group will also take part in the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate, the largest and most important of the British Memorials to the Missing.

You could also combine this tour with other visits in Ypres or even a day trip to the Somme. Have a look at our other Battlefields trips for some inspiration!

Our Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Depart school early in the morning to cross the channel and make your way to Ypres.

In the afternoon, visit the interactive In Flanders Fields Museum, where students will learn about the stories of four real people.

Then enjoy some free time in Ypres and dinner in a local restaurant before attending the Last Post at the Menin Gate – this moving ceremony is a must for all schools visiting the Ypres Salient.

Optional extra: we can supply you with a commemorative wreath to lay at the Menin Gate.
Day 2

Today, you will take part in The Platoon Experience, an immersion project that will help you understand the experience of war in general and with a particular focus on the Battle of Passchendaele.

Starting with a visit to the fascinating Passchendaele 1917 Memorial Museum which commemorates the half a million casualties of the battle of Passchendaele, you will then follow the route along the old Ypres-Roeselare railway track.

After experiencing a day in the life of a soldier, the tour will finish with a visit to Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery in the world.

Travel back home.

Accommodation

We work with a huge variety of accommodation providers in and around Ypres, such as the Menin Gate Hotel Group and The Peace Village. Let us know your school's requirements and we can find one to suit you. We always use safe and secure accommodation especially suited to schools and our accommodation is usually 2* or youth hostel standard. All accommodation we use is audited, and our auditing regime is verified by independent experts.

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