EF Academy Torbay Impact Magazine November 2017 | Page 46

tour of the war fields
bianca
T
he France and Belgium trip was
a historical, literary and personal
enrichment. The best way to learn
about the First World War and how, what
happened 100 years ago, still continues
affecting us today.
And, our last tour of the day, the Thiepval
Memorial: maybe the most amazing place
of the day. An imposing memorial, a very
worthy remembrance for all the soldiers
that died in the war. That giant place, with
the walls full with the names of the victims
of the war, a powerful way to have a real
We stayed in very nice hotels with good idea of how tragic and horrible that period
localizations, what gave us the opportunity of our history was, and how important it is
to know the cities and its sights too.
for us to remember it today.
On the first day, in Arras, France, our tour
started with a visit to the Musee Somme
1916 in Albert. This museum has been
built in a 230m long tunnel gallery, 10 feet
below ground! There was lots and lots of
objects found in the battlegrounds, and
amazing recreations of the kind of life that
the soldiers in the war lived. Also, very
good information and explanation about
the war and fascinating personal stories
of men and women that fought and died
for their country.
This museum was incredible and gave
us a very personal insight, showing that
behind the huge number of of lost lives
remembered today, were real persons
with their own stories and beliefs.
Our 2nd day, in Ypres, Belgium, was also
fantastic.We visited Memorial Museum
Passchendaele 1917, a incredible large
museum, with a variety of objects from the
war, including the children books of that
period to the airplanes and the soldiers
clothes to the ammunition. And also long
preserved trenches.
Our second tour of the day was to the
Tyne Cot Cemetery, a humble and yet
powerful way to remember all the people
who fought and died for their countries.
When we walked in both cities, Arras
and Ypres, poppies and the Great War
remembrance was everywhere. These
people made an amazing effort telling
their history, and making sure that it will
After we visited Beaumont-Hamel and never be forgotten.
Newfoundland Park, such a peaceful
place that it is very hard to imagine a I’m sure that, for us, poppies will never be
violent battle happening there. We had just flowers again.
a guide explaining everything, who gave
us a clear idea of what happened there Learn about the the Great War by visiting
in 1916.
the cemeteries, the battlegrounds and
the museums were priceless. A learning
for the rest of our lives.