Over the 2018 summer holidays, a group of six explorers from the 8th Norwich Scout troop, 16th Norwich Scouts, and 1st Norwich Scouts embarked on a 10-day cycle expedition through France, visiting cemeteries from the First World War and tracking down memorials for 16 Old Norvicensians who lost their lives in the war.
The group’s route went from la Havre to Calais, following the route Henry V took across the Somme. As well as visiting many graves and cemeteries of those from Norwich School who fought and gave their lives in World War One; at each grave of an ON the group paid their respects, laying either a cross or flowers and saying a few words to the soldier.
The whole group were shocked by the sheer scale of the largest cemeteries they visited, and the number of graves which were present; one grave site had over 500,000 names engraved on a large, oval shaped metal board surrounding a beautiful wooden walkway.
The expedition was a great success overall, with 450 miles cycled in total through varying conditions and along some incredibly picturesque roads and villages. Having to carry all their kit was a struggle as the panniers made the bikes far heavier and more unstable when turning corners or braking hard. Having only one mishap with the panniers and two incidents with punctures through all 10 days was a minor miracle and showed the groups bike preparation had paid off.
All in all, this was a truly remarkable trip for the explorers, giving them a far deeper and more meaningful understanding of the terrible event that was World War One and remembering the ONs who lost their lives in the conflict.
