Media Room

The Canadian Battlefields Foundation 2026 Study Tour (28 May – 13 June 2026) dove into the experiences of Canadians serving in Western Europe during the First and Second World Wars. The group was made up of 12 BA and MA students representing 4 provinces and 10 universities, led by Professors Geoffrey Hayes, Gary Sheffield, Major Nick Wheeler, PhD, and Megan Hamilton. This two-week trip focused on experiential learning through battlefield study and sites of commemoration across Belgium and France. It was an opportunity for students to not only analyse the actions that took place in these locations and study the terrain, but also to reflect on the layers of commemoration that have since been added.

Each student was responsible for two presentations during the trip, each given at a spot relevant to the topic. Firstly, each student presented the biography of a Canadian soldier who was buried or commemorated along our path. Many students presented on a relative or soldier who they had some sort of connection to. Secondly, each student gave a presentation on a broader topic. Some students took these broader presentations as an opportunity to learn about a new area of study, while others gave presentations based on in-depth research they had conducted at their university. The presentations proved to be wonderful instances of student-led learning, as follow-up questions and discussions were provoked.

The group spent 5 days exploring the battlefields, cemeteries, and museums of the Western Front. Beginning in Ypres, Belgium, we then made our way through sites related to battles at Passchendaele, the Somme, and the Hundred Days Offensive. One highlight among many was our visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Visitor Centre, which gave context to the many cemeteries we visited. The Menin Gate Ceremony was a meaningful experience, particularly for the students who laid a wreath on behalf of the CBF. While our stop at the Vimy Ridge Memorial was significant, the students were challenged with reflecting on why it has risen to such prominence in Canadian memory over other battle sites – such as Hill 70. Stopping at French, German, British, Australian, South African, New Zealand, and Canadian sites of memory allowed the students to compare and contrast the methods of commemoration. Our driver, Kevin, found ways to maneuver our bus up narrow lanes so that we could visit a number of small cemeteries and less-known spots. By the end of our study of the First World War, the 12 students – previously strangers to one another – had become a tight-knit group who were making the most of this extraordinary experience together.

Many enjoyable evenings were spent exploring Ypres and breaking bread together at Chavasse Farm. We carried on to Dieppe to study the beaches of Operation Jubilee. Normandy was next, intime for the commemoration ceremonies for June 6th. The group attended a number of ceremonies over two days as representatives of the CBF. Many of the students laid wreaths and our French-speakers played active parts in helping to ensure that the events ran smoothly. We then

continued with our exploration of battlefields and sites of commemoration. The students found our visits to Bény-sur Mer Canadian War Cemetery and Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery to be particularly evocative. Everyone especially enjoyed the hands-on learning experience at the D-Day Academy, where we were treated to a ride in heritage vehicles from the war.

During our time in Normandy, we were based at Moulin Morin, as many CBF cohorts before us have been. It was found by all to be the ideal location to rest and reflect on our busy days. Despite the inconsistent weather, the morale of the group remained high throughout the trip. The students were curious and engaged as we discussed the war from social, cultural, political, and military angles. While these 2 weeks on the battlefields allowed them to apply and contextualise what they had been taught in a classroom, it was also a valuable opportunity for a cultural learning experience in a foreign country – some for the first time. Moreover, they formed new friendships with other students from across the country and made memories together that will likely stay with them for many years to come.