An Ilkley air cadet recently travelled to Belgium with the National Air Cadet Pipes and Drums to parade at the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres.

Cadet Calum Carslaw from 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron, based on Ashlands Road in Ilkley, also visited battlefields of the First World War on the trip to Belgium.

The band was formed from cadets from Scotland and Northern Ireland, Central and East Yorkshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, and London and South East Region.

This very special event was planned to coincide with the First World War Centenary, and was supported by Commandant Air Cadets, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Air Training Corps and read the exhortation during the service.

They visited Tyne Cot commonwealth cemetery and were given an opportunity to understand the importance of the trip. They also went to Langemark cemetery, where many Germans are buried in mass graves – a very distinct difference to the commonwealth cemetery.

During the service, after the buglers had played the last post, Cadet Carslaw played the solo lament – Flowers of the Forest.

After marching back to the bus, everything had to be packed away quickly to ensure they caught the late ferry.