CADETS HIT THE RIGHT NOTES IN BELGIUM
The band of 111 Sunderland Squadron entertained the crowds in Belgium during the recent Yser marches.
It’s the second year that the band has played at the prestigious event after they were invited back by the Belgian military.
The marches, which commemorate the lives lost in Belgium during the First World War cover a distance of 80 kilometres, following the route taken by the soldiers during the conflict. This area was the scene of some of the worst fighting of the war where around 500,000 people were killed.
The names of soldiers whose bodies were never found are carved on memorials throughout the area. The Menin Gate is the largest which holds 54,984 names and was the original route out of the town onto the battlefields.
The band played at many checkpoints throughout the marches boost the moral of those taking part. The highlight of the trip was leading the British cadets through the Menin Gate in the final ceremony.
Drum Major Emma Hopkinson was delighted with the bands performance. She said: “It’s an honour to take part in this sort of event. Being involved in something this important is amazing, it really makes you realise how lucky we are.”