DURING the Easter Holidays, Army Cadets from across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire travelled to Flanders, Belgium, to visit the First World War battlefields of the Western Front. 

Members of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Army Cadet Force were led on the tour of Belgium, known as Exercise War Horse, by their own Dettingen Music Band.

The Army Cadets visited key battle sites, as well as several war cemeteries.

The tour culminated in a drum head service at Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, the largest British and Commonwealth cemetery in the world.

Isle of Wight County Press: Army Cadets from across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire in Belgium. Army Cadets from across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire in Belgium. (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF)

The cadets later took part in a parade and musical performance at the Menin Gate as part of a daily last post ceremony which is held there every evening at 8pm to remember those lost in the war. 

Colonel Tim Hope, Commandant of Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF, was full of pride for their contribution in Belgium. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Army Cadets from across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire in Belgium. Army Cadets from across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire in Belgium. (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF)

He said: “I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of our Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers who travelled to Belgium over Easter and put on a string of great performances and acts of remembrance in and around Ypres, Belgium.

"It is a place of greatly significant military history, and sombre acts of remembrance for many people.

"They were all a credit to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Army Cadet Force."