TWO pupils from a county high school paid their respects to a Wigmore soldier who died in the First World War during a recent battlefields trip.

Wigmore High School pupils, James Price and Joe Harper, were joined by history teacher, Lucy Hill, on a four-day tour to the Western Front where they were able to pay their respects to PrivateJohn Oakley at Tyne Cot cemetery.

He was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele on August 23 1917.

During the tour the students attended The Last Post Ceremony in Ypres, which takes place under the Menin Gate every night of the year.

Buglers of the Ypres volunteer fire brigade sound the Last Post before a minute’s silence to reflect on the sacrifice of those lost.

Joe said: "At 8pm in Ypres every night there is a ceremony to remember every soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War. The ceremony takes place every night come rain or shine, if hundreds of people turn up or only a few it goes on. It is a very profound, respectful ceremony for the fallen soldiers."

James added that he felt 'very lucky' to witness the Last Post Ceremony.

"I suppose that it is something everyone should do in their lifetime regardless of their background or culture," he said.

"There are not many words I can use to describe the event. I felt sorrow for the fallen and their families and I also felt joy that their legacy is not and will not be forgotten."

The group also visited museums, battlefield sites, memorials and cemeteries including the Commonwealth War Grave sites of Tyne Cot Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium and Thiepval Memorial in the Somme, France.

Run by UCL Institute of Education (IOE) and Equity, school tour provider, the First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme is funded by the Department for Education and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

It is designed to help teachers and students from every state funded school in England teaching Key Stage 3 and/or 4 to develop a deeper understanding of the Great War.

On their return to school, students will embark on a Legacy 110 project which encourages them to share their experiences of through developing post tour community projects.

The First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme runs until March 2019. Eligible schools not already booked on a tour should visit centenarybattlefieldtours.org to register for a place.