Haberdashers Monmouth school year 6 students embarked on a memorable educational trip to Normandy, recently learning more about the history, language and culture of the country.

To visit France on the 81st anniversary of D-day was a powerful reminder of the importance of remembrance, friendship and peace.

The students stayed at the village of Mondrainville near Caen home to Ecole Edwards- Griffiths which is a primary school with a link to Monmouthshire.

The school is named in honour of two Welsh soldiers, Dave Edwards and Tom Griffiths from Abergavenny who fought in Normandy during the Second World War.

Soldiers from the second Monmouthshire Regiment too shelter in an abandoned house in Mondrainville in 1944 during the battle for hill following the D-day landings.

When the war ended Dave Edwards carried back with him to Wales a vivid image of a woman and her baby. Many years later Dave and Tom returned to Normandy standing outside the house he believed he had once sheltered in and he showed the image to a passing local who was able to fill in many missing details.

From that moment and friendship blossomed between them. The village eventually named its primary school, Ecole Edwards- Griffiths in their honour for their bravery and their lasting message of peace and reconciliation.

Pupils from Haberdashers Monmouth school exchanged letters with their French counterparts where they got practice their French writing skills and sharing stories about their lives.

As the students were corresponding with children from town liberated by their own Monmouthshire regiment it brought their language studies and their learning about the Second World War almost to life.

Year six students have experienced a life in a French school stepping into the place which honours Monmouthshire's legacy.

The trip not only brings the events of D- day and the Battle for Normandy to life and builds the international friendship and cultural understanding.