Year 8 Historians were visited this week by First World War Battlefield Guide & Researcher Terry Whenham. Terry is an expert on all things World War One and a charity fundraiser for The Soldier’s Charity (ABF). He also produces a podcast (Tales from the Battlefield) which tries to tell the unheard stories of men who served on the Western Front. Terry kindly gave up his time to take part in our Remembrance Week commemorations at school which culminated in our annual assembly on Friday 11.
After reminding the girls about why we have remembrance at this time of year, we were told the inspirational story of Northampton’s Walter Tull before hearing about other sacrifices made by brave soldiers such as 20-year-old William McFadzean VC and Horace Iles who lied about his age in order to fight and died on the Somme at 16 years of age. Their stories were very moving and brought to life with photographs and sounds. We also heard about Nellie Spindler a young nurse who died in an air raid in Belgium in August 1917 which fitted with our assembly theme focusing on the forgotten sacrifices made by women in conflict. Nellie is the only woman buried in a cemetery of 10,000 men who also died in the war.
There was also a chance for girls to see real artefacts from the Western Front including grenades, shells and even gas masks. Terry then answered questions, explaining why he gives up so much of his valuable time to educate people and raise money for the families of injured soldiers. If you are interested in researching or visiting the First World War Battlefields, then please contact Terry at www.terrystours.co.uk or school.
Year 8 have been busy over recent weeks learning about the First World War including causation, life in the trenches, the tragedy of the Somme in 1916 and the contribution of people from across the Commonwealth to the war effort. Volunteers have also helped research and produce the Remembrance Assembly.”
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
– Laurence Binyon
