West Dunbartonshire Provost Douglas McAlister (pictured) and West Dunbartonshire Lord Lieutenant Mike Gregory heard from the 48 pupils and five teachers from the Clydebank school who visited battlefields and memorials of millions of soldiers who fought and lost their lives during the First World War.

The group visited memorials, cemeteries, preserved trenches and battlefields during their trip.

Provost McAllister, said: “It was very interesting to hear the pupils account from their recent tour and how they enjoyed sharing their stories with their fellow pupils.

“It is important for children to learn all about previous conflicts and the effects these had on families. This is a great year for pupils to visit the First World War battlefield and memorials with it being the centenary year. I hope other schools in West Dunbartonshire are planning the same trip for their pupils as it gives a better insight into the war than any textbook or teaching ever could.” Pupils witnessed the Lochnagar Crater, which is the largest mine crater ever made by man in anger and now a unique memorial to all those who suffered in the Great War. The crater is now dedicated to peace, fellowship and reconciliation between all nations.

Pupils took time to walk round Newfoundland Memorial Park on the Somme battlefield. The site is also a memorial to all the Newfoundlanders who fought in the First World War, most particularly those soldiers who have no known graves.

The group toured Thiepval Ridge which gave them a great insight into the mazes of trenches and dug-outs used by soldiers and shell-craters created during the war.

The Menin Gate Memorial gave the pupils an insight into the sacrifices paid by thousands of men from the UK and the Commonwealth Forces who died during the conflict. Pupils took time to read some of the 54,389 names on the memorial of men who fell during the battle.

While trips to the battlefields helped the youngsters understand how the war was fought, it was the cemeteries and remembrance ceremonies that had the most impact on them.

Pupils witnessed the chilling scene at Delville Wood where not one tree was left untouched following the fighting and the immediate landscape was littered with just the stumps of what had been healthy trees. Soldiers who fought there referred to it as ‘Devil’s Wood’ as opposed to Delville Wood.

Lord Lieutenant Gregory added: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Edinbarnet and seeing how enthusiastic the pupils were about their experiences in France and Belgium. This was great experience for the children and I’m sure one that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. It is right that we remember the many thousands of men who died during the conflict and there is no better way to teach the children than them visiting the areas to appreciate the scale of the conflict and the lives lost.” Provost McAllister and Lord Lieutenant Gregory also enjoyed the Annual School Awards Ceremony where pupils’ were awarded for their outstanding achievements during the year.