A World War One Experience

Signing on Ceremony and Drills – ½ day

Enlist into His Majesty's service and sign an attestation form to join the British army. Assemble on our parade ground to take part in training drills including bayonet practice, marching with 'rifles', Mills bomb practice and stretcher carrying.

Cooking – ¼ day

Make and eat a soldiers 'trench' lunch using spam, cabbage and potatoes aswell as cooking carrot 'tack' and oatmeal biscuits to eat with a hot, sweet cup of tea before going over the top later in the trenches.

Examine and Handle Artefacts and Make Poppies – ¼ day

Handle and examine artefacts from the time including a Lee Enfield rifle, an officer's pistol, bayonet and Mills bomb. A chance to carry out an historical enquiry as they handle original items from the period. The children will also learn about the important symbolism of the poppy before having the opportunity to make their own to plant on our own 'Flanders Field'.

Working in the Trenches – ½ day

The children will march in formation to the 'Front' and make their way through the mud of the connecting trench. They will tour the trench, be set to work filling sand bags and placing them in position, practise scaling the ladders and 'over the top' drill, learn about sentry duty and the morning hate routine.They will spend time maintaining the trench with trench tools, lay mines and carve their initials into the sidewalls, finally partaking in 'tea and wads' before going over the top.

‘Going over the Top’ 

Line up at the ladders, wait for the whistle to blow and experience what it would have been like 'going over the top' amidst the sound of machine gun fire and the haze of smoke. Following this, spend time in our own No Man's Land to reflect on the soldiers' experiences, whilst listening to the poem 'In Flanders Fields'. The children will then experience two minutes of silence whilst they have the opportunity plant their own poppies.

The Tank Museum, Bovington – ½ day

Visit the World War One exhibition at The Tank Museum. Get inside a real First World War tank and take part in some of their workshops. Transport not included.

Dinner in the Officers Mess and Old Time Music Hall – evening

Children experience a formal three course dinner in the Officer's Mess whilst a select few wait tables as stewards. Take part in the  'passing the port' ceremony and make formal toasts for King and Country! Then make your way to the Old Time ‘Music Hall' extravaganza, singing songs from the era and taking part in some novelty acts. 

Stories on the Trenches and Songs around the Camp Fire – evening

Enjoy an evening around the camp fire listening to stories told by the soldiers and singing songs from that time.