Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford and Armed Forces Minister, recently met a group of Royal Anglian Regiment cadets when he visited Haileybury School in Hertfordshire. During the visit Mark officially opened a replica First World War trench, to honour the 2,825 staff and pupils of the school who served during the war, many of whom lost their lives on the Western Front.
The full size replica trench was designed by Andrew Robertshaw, a historian and military adviser on the Spielberg film "War Horse", with the help of history enthusiast Ryan Gearing and forms part of the Haileybury Trench Trail. This uses the school's archive material, architecture, chapel and memorials to trace Haileybury's links with the First World War and to help those at the school, including the school’s cadet detachment (who are affiliated to the Royal Anglian Regiment) to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices made both at home and at the front during the conflict.
Joe Davies, Master of Haileybury School, who was present at the official opening commented:
"We are delighted that Mark Francois MP was able to join us in commemorating the centenary and the opening of our replica trench, a tangible symbol that will be shared not only with our pupils but also local schools."
Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford said:
"As a former TA Officer in the Royal Anglian Regiment during the Cold War, I was delighted to meet a number of Royal Anglian Cadets during my recent visit to Haileybury School. The Cadets were in good order and I was also very impressed to see the replica WWI trench that the school had constructed as part of the nationwide commemorations to recall the outbreak of the First World War, one hundred year ago. This is an impressive project and I really enjoyed talking to the Cadets about it, as well as how much they enjoyed being at the school."