Forty-five cadets and staff from 863 (Thurston) Squadron, Air Training Corps, have recently returned from Belgium and France, visiting the Battlefields of World War One.

The tour, which started in Arras, France, included visits to the Flying Services Memorial, Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial and the Wellington Tunnels which only recently opened to the public two weeks ago.

Although the weather was extremely wet and windy, cadets and staff paid their respects by conducting a Squadron parade, including a wreath laying service, at the Somme Memorial at Thiepval, joined by their tour guide Mr Michael Forster MBE, who also paraded the Standard of Kings Lynn Royal Air Force Association. It is believed, by the Royal British Legion, that this is a first for the Air Training Corps that an ATC Squadron has paraded at the memorial in full uniform.

However, the highlight, and honour, of the three-day tour was to participate in the daily sounding of the Last Post at the Menin Gate, Ypres in Belgium. The world famous memorial attracted hundreds of locals and tourists to observe the traditional minute silence followed by a wreath laying.

Cadet Joshua Hudson, who was chosen to lay a wreath on behalf of 863 Squadron said “Although I was nervous, it was a great honour to be chosen and I am sure it is something which will always be with me. It was a very proud moment.”

Before leaving the continent the Squadron visited two final cemeteries – Tynecot British Cemetery and Langemark German Cemetery, both located around the town of Ypres, Belgium.

Flying Officer James Perna, Project Officer, said “I found it was extremely important for these young people to have an opportunity to understand what happened during this awful period of war, as well as seeing the scale of lost named and unknown soldiers, of all countries.