Back in July 2025, Campbell College CCF (Army) travelled to France alongside the schools Bugles, Pipes and Drums band to take part in World War I Battlefield Study. Battlefield studies are an important part of cadet training as they help to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and the realities of war from previous conflicts.
It was an extremely busy week for the contingent, which saw the cadets laying 47 Remembrance Crosses at the graves and memorials of ex Campbell College students where they were commemorated. Cadets also laid wreaths at Tyne Cot, the Menin Gate, Thiepval Memorial and the Ulster Tower.
Following on from this, the contingent conducted an Act of Remembrance at Serre Road Cemetery No 2, to commemorate OC 45 Captain J S Davidson, an ex-Campbell College student who served with the Royal Irish Rifles during World War I and was sadly killed in action.
The contingent also travelled to the Sunken Lane in Beaumont-Hamel, which was the starting point for the Lancashire Fusiliers on 1 July 1916 – the first day of the Battle of the Somme. After this they visited the trenches and memorials at Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, where a member of their Bugles, Pipes and Drums performed solo. This part of the Study was extremely emotive for the contingent, as they also headed to Pozieres Memorial to the Missing, where they conducted an Act of Remembrance for OC 249 Edmund De Wind VC, before commemorating OC 1069 Ian McCormick and OC 1210 Brian Brown, who attended Campbell College together between 1912-1914.
The Bugles, Pipes and Drums also performed at the Ulster Tower and the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing before the contingent visited Thiepval Wood. The cadets then travelled to Arras to pay their respects to those commemorated at the Arras Memorial (where several ex-Campbell College students are) before travelling to the Carriere Wellington tunnels museum in Arras, where they were allowed to honour those who fell by having a piper perform a lament.
Further locations visited were Notre Dame de Lorette where the Bugles, Pipes and Drums were allowed to play – this was the first time ever that a cadet force band has been allowed to perform inside Notre Dame de Lorette.
The rest of the trip continued to be a busy and emotive one, with the cadets parading from Ypres’ Main Square to the Menin Gate, as well as visiting Messines Ridge to help the cadets understand the battles of 1917. The band were also allowed to play at a further three locations in Tyne Cot, as well as being asked to perform at a wedding that was taking place at the Passchendaele Museum.
An Incredible Opportunity
The Battlefield Study was an incredible opportunity for every member of the Bugles, Pipes and Drums to perform solo during the trip, in some truly historical and moving locations. As well as this, the Battlefield Study provided cadets with an immersive, hands-on learning experience that helped to bring history to life.
The trip was part-funded by the CCFA, who are committed to supporting the ideals and activities of the CCF.
If you would like to find out more information about how the CCFA could help your contingent, please click here.