Students pay tribute to fallen of First World War

Two Bournemouth students were given a great honour when they were asked to place a wreath at the Menin Gates in memory of all those who fought in the First World War.

The students, Maisie Dillamore-Ward and Andrew Hyde, laid the wreath on behalf of their two schools, Avonbourne and Harewood colleges, as part of a school trip to the First World War battlefields.

Maisie and Andrew were joined by 23 other students from both schools for the trip, which was organised as part of the centenary commemorations of the Great War.

As well as laying a wreath during the Last Post ceremony, the students also placed a hand-written note penned by fellow pupil, Judie Mayne.

Her simple, but heart-felt message, read: ‘Honoured in life, treasured in memory’.

Executive principal of Avonbourne Trust, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “I am incredibly proud of all the students who made this unforgettable, and incredibly moving, trip to the First World War battlefields.

“Not only do such trips bring history alive for students but it also helps give them real insight and empathy to the suffering millions endured in this war, which was meant to end all wars.

“The laying of the wreath was a very special moment and was a fitting end to a memorable trip. I’m sure this experience will stay with the students forever.”

The students visited a number of historic sites associated with the war.

They went to the Thiepval Memorial, which honours the 72,195 missing British and South African men who died in the Battles of the Somme.

The students also spent poignant hours at the Lochnagar Crater – the largest man-made mine crater created during the war.

They were transported back in time when they walked among Hill 60, a battlefield site largely unchanged since the war.

And the students were able to reflect on the enormity of the losses of the First World War when they visited the Beaumont-Hamel Memorial, a park that preserves the memory of those who lost their lives on this site.