915—2015
Exercise Trenches Reflect
As part of Tyneside Scottish 100, cadets from
Heaton Manor and Kingston Park detachments
travelled to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum
to learn more about trench warfare. This included
Thinking about the big push
Briefing the troops
Battle Preparation
Battle orders
working and sleeping in a re-constructed WW1 trench for 24
hours. The aim was to educate cadets on life as a WW1 soldier
and the exercise commenced with briefings on the weapons and
equipment used in 1915/1916, followed by a demonstration of
how trench warfare started on the Western Front. As the rain
fell, the cadets also learned all about the logistics of running a
field kitchen from the marvellous chefs of 101st Regiment Royal
Artillery who provided delicious food and hot drinks in their
time of need. The group spent the night sleeping in the trench,
braving the elements and opening ’comfort parcels’ from home,
and writing and receiving postcards, just as the troops would
have done 100 years ago.
Come morning it was time to ‘go over the top.’ Prior to the
whistle being blown and the ladders climbed, each cadet was
issued with a poppy cross detailing the name of a real solider
and also their fate. As the fire fight ensued cadets acted out
their role in accordance with their cross, wounded, killed or a
survivor. A poignant moment.
Finally, each cadet placed their cross in a field of remembrance
and reflected upon the sacrifice made by a previous generation.
Thank you to all individuals and organisations that made this
event possible.
Moving into position
Final briefing
Over the top
Into No Man’s Land
Taking cover
Fighting through
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