PUPILS, staff, parents and former pupils from Aldenham School travelled to Ypres in Belgium last week to honour the school's 275 people who died during the First World War.

They were joined by students from Queens' School in Bushey, who form part of a partnership combined cadet force (CCF), to dedicate a plaque at a ceremony in St George's Memorial Church on Friday, May 6.

The school's chaplain, Reverend Bond, led a moving service, during which the CCF's new colours were blessed and music scholar Christopher Field led the congregation in a minute's silence sounded by the Last Post played on his trumpet.

Then, at a daily evening ceremony at the Menin Gate, dedicated to commonwealth soldiers whose graves are unknown, the Aldenham group took centre stage as their Cantabile choir sang, Old Aldenhamians laid wreaths and the CCF paraded in their new colours.

Headmaster James Fowler commented: “I was extremely proud to be part of such an unforgettable occasion in our school’s history. All the pupils conducted themselves superbly and everyone who made this trip will have memories to treasure for a long time.”

The one-day battlefield trip also included a tour of the remains of a British First World War trench system and a visit to the vast Tyne Cot Cemetery.