Exploring Trenches, Evacuation Routes, and Memorial Cemeteries

On Tuesday 6 June, Year Ten GCSE History pupils went on a field trip to Staffordshire Regiment Museum and Cannock Chase to enrich our understanding of World War One for the GCSE Medicine paper.

Staffordshire Regiment Museum

First, we visited the Staffordshire Regiment Museum where we were able to explore a model trench system, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of the conditions of the trenches in World War One. Alongside this, we were taught about the range of conditions that the soldiers experienced on the front lines. After leaving the trench, an RAMC Corporal gave us an engaging presentation on the different stages of the evacuation route including carrying a stretcher and trying on some of the different gas masks used throughout the war. This gave an insightful view into the different roles played by the RAMC in the war.

Cannock Chase

The second part of the trip involved a visit to the memorial cemeteries dedicated to those who died whilst serving in the First World War. We were educated about the German graves that were located in Cannock and were also given the opportunity to look around the graveyard. Additionally, we visited a cemetery for some of the British soldiers who also died during the war. This part of the trip finished with a small service consisting of a memorial poem, and some of our students placing a poppy wreath on the memorial. We also held a two minute silence to pay respect to the honourable soldiers who lost their lives whilst serving their country.

Overall, this field trip was significant in developing the understanding of World War One and thus has helped the GCSE history students to enrich their knowledge of some of the medicine coursework that is needed for History Paper One.

Hollyanna Hopkins, Year Ten