STUDENT Jack Cochrane has visited his great grandfather’s First World War grave in Tyne Cot Cemetery, near Ypres, during Heathfield School’s Belgium battlefields trip.

During the expedition, the students met Johan Vandervalle, an expert on retrieving the remains of bodies from the battlefield, and Paul Foster, an author of many books on the First World War.

The team of 31 Year 10 students and five teachers visited the Menin Gate, where they studied the names of dead soldiers and heard the Last Post ceremony.

They also saw a trench at Sanctuary Wood, toured round Polygon Wood Cemetery and spent time at memorials, including Tyne Cot, the largest in the world.

Student Charlotte Newman said: “Surrounded by so much sadness, the earth shattering destructiveness of the First World War seeped in – something you can never properly comprehend from figures in a book.

“I’m so grateful for having the opportunity to go to Ypres – it’s a life-changing experience and I’ll never forget all that I experienced there.”

CAPTIONS: 1 HANNAH Vile and Olivia Saunders lay a wreath of poppies during the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.

2 STUDENTS at Polygon Wood Cemetery.

3 STUDENTS explore the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood.

4 JACK Cochrane finds the grave of his great grandfather in Tyne Cot Cemetery.