Bloxham School Visit

Pupils from Bloxham School in Banbury, Oxfordshire visited RAF Halton this week to visit the World War One trench system, Lister Lines. Groups of up to 20 at a time were given a tour by Flight Lieutenant Andy Claesens whilst other groups visited the Trenchard Museum and James McCudden Flight Heritage Centre.

Squadron Leader Gary Coleman, who instigated the visit, said: “I was delighted to hear that Bloxham School wanted to visit RAF Halton to learn about World War One; thus affording us the opportunity to tell the RAF Halton story. This story starts with the 1913 manoeuvres of approximately 100,000 Army personnel across the Vale of Aylesbury and some of the first uses of early aircraft for military purposes flying from the Halton estate. The training of many Army personnel in Trench Warfare was carried out in the trenches at Halton – the very same trenches were recently restored and the children experienced what life in them would have been like.

“Thanks go to Flt Lt Andy Claesens for giving the children a fully interactive trench experience and to curator Mr Francis Hanford and his volunteer staff for enthusiastically delivering the Halton story at the museums. The feedback I received was that the children had a truly memorable day out and that they will utilise the experience in their history studies and future lives.”

Andy Claesens said: “The children were very interested in the history of the trenches. Staff feedback was very positive too saying they were fascinated by the military perspective and hard facts.”

For more information or to book a trench tour, contact the Media Communications Office in the first instance.

Media & Communications Office, RAF Halton, Wendover, Aylesbury HP22 5PG

Tel: 01296 656725

Email: hal-mcospt@mod.uk