CHILDREN at Butterknowle Primary School were given a unique insight into the life of a First World War soldier War during a workshop.
It was presented by Kevin Richardson, of Evenwood and District History Group, and Jeanette Newell, of Gaunless Valley History Trust.
The children learned about how a soldier was recruited, what kit he had, what food he ate and what his life was like in the trenches. The children also got to wear some of the equipment worn by soldiers in the First World War.
Mr Richardson and his group have been presenting the workshops to schools around the Gaunless Valley.
He said: “The kids love it. I think it is safe to say it is well received.
At the end we have a little quiz and they come up with all the right answers.”
Mrs Newell added: “They are very enthusiastic – if you ask for any volunteers there is a forest of arms.”
Children found the stories of rats and lice in the trenches particularly squeamish.
Pupils also completed their own school project in which they researched the men from their village who died during the war, and a display of what they uncovered was been put up in the school hall.
The history group has also been presenting their documentary, In The Pink, about the Gaunless Valley’s contribution to the war effort at schools during evenings so parents can watch it with their children.
Mr Richardson said as many as 80 people have attended screenings at schools and community halls in the Gauness valley and West Auckland area.
Donations taken during the free screenings were split between the venue and he history group.
Mr Richardson said a great benefit of the screenings are the new stories and photographs that people bring about their relatives who went to the war. All of these stories are collected and added to the history group’s extensive database.
