21/08/2026
🇧🇪🇫🇷 BELGIUM & FRANCE BATTLEFIELD TOUR 2026
This week, 23 cadets and 6 staff travelled to Belgium and France for a three-day battlefield tour, alongside cadets and staff from across No. 1 Welsh Wing.
The trip provided an incredible opportunity for our cadets to learn about the First and Second World Wars, while gaining a greater understanding of the events, experiences and sacrifices of those who served.
🇧🇪 DAY 1 – TRAVELLING TO YPRES
Tuesday was mainly spent travelling to Belgium, but there was still plenty to see along the way.
Cadets and staff visited a number of monuments, memorials and cemeteries en route to Ypres, beginning what would be a memorable few days of learning and remembrance.
And, of course, there was also time for a visit to a Belgian chocolate shop! 🍫
🇫🇷 DAY 2 – THE SOMME
Wednesday took us across the Somme, beginning with a guided battlefield tour at Beaumont-Hamel, where the cadets learnt more about the fighting that took place there.
We then visited the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, commemorating more than 72,000 British and South African servicemen who died in the Somme sector and have no known grave.
The group then travelled to Mametz Wood and the Welsh Memorial, a particularly significant location for Welsh troops who fought during the Battle of the Somme.
Our final visit of the day was Vimy Ridge, where cadets took part in a Canadian-led tour of the preserved underground tunnels and learnt about the Canadian forces who fought there.
🇧🇪 LAST POST CEREMONY – MENIN GATE
During our time in Ypres, we also had the privilege of attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.
CWO Jacobs, F/Sgt Kiff and Cpl Thomas had the honour of laying a wreath during the ceremony on behalf of the group.
The wreath laying was perfectly executed, with all three representing the Wing with great professionalism and respect. A very proud and memorable moment for everyone on the trip. 🌺
🇧🇪🇫🇷 DAY 3 – YPRES & DUNKIRK
Our final day began with a visit to St George’s Memorial Church, followed by Essex Farm Cemetery and Tyne Cot Cemetery, providing further opportunities for cadets to reflect on the enormous sacrifices made during the First World War.
We then travelled back into France to finish our battlefield tour at Dunkirk Beach, where cadets learnt about the evacuation of Allied troops during Operation Dynamo in 1940.
It was a fantastic and incredibly worthwhile three days, giving our cadets the opportunity to see first-hand many of the locations they learn about and to better understand the stories behind them.
A huge thank you to all 23 cadets and 6 staff who took part and helped make the trip such a memorable experience.
We will remember them. 🌺
No 1 Welsh Air Cadets
