World War One - In a suitcase

We were delighted when Toby Stok came into school recently, bringing with him a suitcase that would give the pupils in years 5, 6 and 7, an amazing insight into the personal life of a soldier in the trenches during World War One.

 

The battered suitcase contained a large number of original artefacts that the soldier, from Yeovil, had collected during his time in the trenches, including photographs, letters from his family, his uniform and personal belongings and medals, and then brought back with him at the end of the war.

Mr Stok explained how the war was fought, as technology changed the way weapons were used, when aeroplanes, tanks, poison gas, mines and machine guns were used for the first time, and how the soldiers had to survive the appalling conditions in the trenches. He had a number of replica and original weapons that the children were encouraged to examine and they also had the opportunity to try on gas masks and uniforms from the period.

Learning about the difficulties and dangers the soldiers faced on a daily basis helped the children to understand the importance of Rememberance Day.

Using names from the Yeovil War Memorial the children made poppies and added labels, and then designed medals for the soldiers.

Everyone learnt a lot about the sacrifices that were made by the soldiers, and how the war affected the families that were left behind. It was a very stimulating and interesting afternoon, and we are looking forward to Mr Stok returning next term when he will be helping us to learn about World War Two.