Cadets Pay Respects

Posted by Hexham Air Cadets on Oct 1, 10 02:50 PM in Clubs/Societies

Belgium Trip - Marching.jpg Recently a group of Air Cadets from Sector Five, Durham Northumberland Wing embarked on a trip to Belgium to pay their respects to the heroes of World War 1. The small group of five 224 (Hexham) Squadron cadets and one 1248 (Prudhoe) Squadron cadet were led by Adult Sergeant Crowther and Squadron Leader Tickell on their four day march round Ieper.

The group of eight had an early 4am start to depart from Wing Headquarters in Gosforth to make it down to Dover Ferry Port, once in Calais the team then drove to Ieper in Belgium to pitch their tents in the pouring rain.

On Tuesday, the second day of the trip the group began exploring the many museums and memorials in Ieper. It was an emotional day, especially the trip to the Flanders Museum that offered an accurate insight into the battles that occurred.

On Wednesday the hard work began on the 'Four Days of The Yser' march. The team boarded a bus to the barracks and then began their 16km march on the 'mini-route'. Though the team enjoyed the marching the highlight for the cadets were the police escorts on motorbikes blocking the road to ensure the marchers were safe and had right of way. For the following three days the cadets continued to march the 16km each day, meeting others marching from different nationalities including those from Australia, America and Germany. On the Saturday with the route complete the cadets swapped items with the other marchers collecting everything from rank slides to gas masks before attending the passing out parade where the cadets, walkers and other groups were all applauded by spectators lining the streets.

The team then attended the Menin Gate Ceremony where every night at 8pm a bugler plays the Last Post in order to pay respect to those who have lost their lives for Belgium's freedom. Cadet Nick Thompson (15) from 224 (Hexham) Squadron was chosen to lay the wreath at this ceremony said "Quite honestly, it was the most nerve-racking bit of the week, trying to march smartly, but also with a heart full of sorrow towards the fallen. It's definitely something I will always remember."

On Sunday, the last full day in Belgium the cadets visited Tyne Cot the world's largest cemetery, owned and managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. There were over 12,000 grave stones for British, Canadian, German and other nationalities soldiers and over 35,000 names written on the back wall of the cemetery. The cadets also visited Passchendaele where over 500,000 were injured or killed, an astonishing figure and Zillebruke a new museum with a life-size dig-out to make it more realistic.

A week after departing the team made their way back to the North of England. The trip strengthened the cadets' appreciation and respect for those who fought for us and opened their eyes to the horror and suffering that many soldiers endured on our behalf. If you would like to find out more about the trip please visit www.224hexhamaircadets.co.uk where Cadet Nick Thompson has posted a diary.

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