Exclusive trip to Europe for Alex

History comes to life for Alex

Army Cadet Alex Rootes from Bourn has won an exclusive trip to Europe this November courtesy of the Imperial War Museum in London.

At the 11th hour on the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918 World War one ended. To commemorate the 90^th anniversary of the Armistice, the Imperial War Museum in association with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission this summer organised an ‘Away to Remember' competition, inviting young people aged 14 to 16 across the UK to answer two important questions - ‘What impact did WW1 have on your community?' and ‘What do you think about Remembrance now and in the future?'

Alex (16), a Corporal at Comberton Detachment near Cambridge, spotted the competition on the Cambridgeshire army cadet website, researched and produced his own mini video and successfully secured himself a place on the trip of a lifetime.

The prize - for just 26 lucky winners - is to travel all expenses paid to France and Belgium between 7^th & 12th November 2008 and take part in battlefield tours, historic visits and Remembrance Day itself. Led by experienced staff from the Imperial War Museum they will spend a weekend during October in London preparing for the visit, handling historic exhibits and learning of the part their ancestors played in the conflict. In November they will head to Europe to discover and experience some of the amazing stories of courage and sacrifice that the battlefields hold.

The young historians will travel by coach through Eurotunnel and stay at an hotel at Arras in France to explore the memorials, cemeteries and former battlefields in the surrounding areas. They will follow the stories of people who were actually there at the time and their journey through time will be recorded for the ‘Radio waves' website allowing friends and families at home to share their learning experience at www.radiowaves.co.uk/tpyf. During the visit they will also represent their home communities by taking an active part in events and Remembrance ceremonies.

Alex, a student at Long Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge, has been an army cadet for four years and has always been keen on military history. "I had to have a go when I saw the competition" he said. "The competition was for young people who want to find out more about Remembrance and commemoration." "As an army cadet I am concerned about good citizenship and the environment so it was a natural thing to do".

After college Alex hopes to attend the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and become an officer in the Royal Anglian Regiment.

More information about the trip can be found at www.tpyf.com and about the army cadet force at www.cambsacf.com