Humberside and South Yorkshire Cadets: A Battlefield Journey to Remember
19 June 2025
19 June 2025
This spring, cadets and adult volunteers from Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF embarked on a transformative battlefield journey, supported by ACCT UK. The trip offered a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history, honour those who served, and strengthen the bonds that make the Army Cadet Force such a vital part of our community.
The trip took cadets across some of the most significant First World War sites in Belgium and France. From the moment the group arrived in Flanders, the experience was immersive and emotional. The first stop at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery set the tone for the days ahead. Walking among the rows of gravestones, cadets reflected on the scale of sacrifice and the human stories behind each name. It was a powerful reminder that history is not only something to read about in books… It is something that can be felt and experienced.
“The battlefield trip made us feel deeply emotional. Hearing about the number of deaths in school is one thing, but seeing the endless rows of graves made the true scale of the loss real for us. It gave us a much greater respect for the sacrifices made during the First World War. Sharing these powerful experiences with friends brought us even closer together. We are truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to go on this trip. It was an unforgettable experience that helped us understand the past in a way that no classroom ever could.”
Cadets Rodriguez Nuñez and Goodall
The following day, the group travelled to Ypres, a city steeped in wartime history. Cadets visited the Langemarck German Cemetery and the Canadian Memorial at Vancouver Corner. This is the site of the first gas attack in the First World War. The visit to Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world, was particularly moving. Seeing thousands of white gravestones stretching into the distance brought home the enormity of the conflict.
A highlight of the trip was attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. For many cadets, this was the most poignant moment. Standing in silence as the buglers played, remembering the fallen. Some cadets had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the group, a gesture that underscored the importance of remembrance and respect.
Poppy Mercier, the group’s accredited battlefield guide, shared her admiration for the young people and adult volunteers alike…
“I have to say it was an absolute pleasure working not only with your staff, but your cadets. They have absolutely been one of the best groups I have guided in my 8 years of working with young adults, school and adult groups. Your cadets showed exemplary behaviour throughout the entire trip; they were all so incredibly enthusiastic in learning from each site we visited in the 4 days I had with them. They were engaged, always on topic and presented me with excellent questions throughout the trip. The 3 cadets chosen to represent the group laying a wreath at the Menin Gate did a superb job and I cannot praise all 40 of them highly enough. I can already see some future historians in the making!”
Poppy Mercier
The journey continued to the battlefields of the Somme. Here, cadets visited the Historial de la Grande Guerre museum to gain a deeper understanding of the war’s causes and consequences. Walking through preserved trenches at Newfoundland Park and standing at the edge of the Lochnagar Mine Crater gave the group a visceral sense of the conditions faced by soldiers more than a century ago.
At the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, which commemorates over 72,000 British and South African soldiers with no known grave, cadets paused to reflect on the scale of loss. For many, the experience was both sobering and inspiring. This was an opportunity to connect with the past in a way that classroom lessons cannot match.
The final day included a visit to the grave of Valentine Joe Strudwick, a 15-year-old soldier whose story resonated deeply with the group. Many cadets are of a similar age, and seeing his grave brought home the reality of how young many of the fallen were. The group also visited the site where John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields,” a poem that has become synonymous with remembrance.
Throughout the trip, cadets shared their thoughts and emotions, supporting each other and building friendships that will last long after the journey’s end. The experience fostered teamwork, leadership, and empathy… qualities that are at the heart of the Army Cadet Force ethos.
Experiences like this battlefield tour are vital for young people. They offer far more than historical knowledge. They build resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging. ACCT UK’s grants provide life-changing opportunities for young people across the country. These trips help cadets understand the importance of service, sacrifice, and remembrance. They inspire young people to carry forward these values in their own lives.
Colonel Fred Owen, Commandant of Humberside & South Yorkshire ACF, summed it up perfectly:
“I would like to extend my thanks and congratulations to the staff and NCOs who supported and guided our cadets, ensuring they could shine as they did. It is their leadership and dedication that create such opportunities for these young people to grow and excel.”
For the cadets and adult volunteers of Humberside and South Yorkshire, the battlefield trip was more than a journey through history. It was a journey of personal growth and collective memory. These experiences ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten and that the next generation is prepared to face the challenges of the future with courage and compassion.