Year Ten Historians Explore Life on the Western Front

On Tuesday last week, Year Ten History pupils embarked on a trip to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum in support of their GCSE studies in Medicine on the British sector of the Western Front during the First World War.

The trip gave pupils the opportunity to see first-hand many of the topics studied throughout Years Nine and Ten. Inside the museum, we explored the evolution of warfare through a range of recreated weapons, equipment and soldier displays from different historical periods, demonstrating how warfare gradually shifted from willpower to firepower. We were also transported ‘back in time’ through a recreated section of a British First World War frontline trench, where we learned more about daily life on the Western Front through displays including a regimental aid post, bomb tunnel and sleeping quarters.

Pupils also took part in a demonstration of medical care on the Western Front led by an Army Corporal, which directly supported our GCSE studies by providing a visual insight into how injured soldiers were treated and the different levels of medical care available.

Finally, we travelled to Cannock Chase War Cemetery where, through individual graves, we were reminded that “each grave tells a story”. The day concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony and a reading of the poem In Flanders Fields, led by pupils Henry Lee, Jack Vickers and Simon Herbert, who together represent each Section of the RGS Worcester CCF. This provided a poignant opportunity to reflect upon and honour those who lost their lives during The Great War and was followed by a minute’s silence.

Charlie Dyer, Year Ten