TEENAGE students have followed in the footsteps of Flackwell Heath’s fallen to mark the centenary year of the start of the First World War.

As part of a four-year project centred on tracing the history of servicemen from the village, Amersham and Wycombe College students retraced the steps from Bucks all the way to the frontline in mainland Europe.

The Public Services group made the poignant trip alongside teachers and visited many well known battlefields, leaving remembrance crosses at the graves or memorials of fallen soldiers from Flackwell Heath.

Marketing Projects Manager Andrew Kirk said: “The visit took place over the remembrance week and included wreath laying ceremonies at the Menin Gate, Hooge Crater Memorial and Tyne Cot Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium.”

He added the journey began some weeks ago with students visiting the National Archives at Kew to research Flackwell Heath soldiers who served in the Great War between 1914 and 1918.

Under the guidance of First World War historian Mark Offord, students found war diaries, individual honours and other information from which they used as a foundation for additional research conducted at museums, memorials and cemeteries visited in France and Belgium.

The information will not only help with student coursework but will also provide the foundation for a display to be held at Wycombe Museum early next year.

The group are still open to receiving more information or memorabilia and if you would like to share this please contact either Rob Offord or Mick Forsdick at Amersham and Wycombe College by emailing mforsdick@amersham.ac.uk