Exploring the Legacy of the WWI at the National Memorial Arboretum

Having recently studied the play Journey’s End by RC Sherriff, the trip provided valuable context, helping students to explore the realities of The Great War and its impact on lives in the early 20th century.

During the day, students toured a number of memorials across the site, with a particular focus on those commemorating troops involved in the battles of 1914–1918. One of the most striking was the ‘Shot at Dawn’ memorial. Year 7 student Eliza reflected: "The memorial was very moving at it commemorated all those men who were shot for desertion. It was particularly interesting to walk amongst the wooden planks and to read their inscriptions."

Students also took part in a classroom-based session, where they examined artefacts from the period and explored personal stories from those involved in the war effort. This included learning about the fascinating life of female footballer Lily Parr, who helped to grow the women’s game while working in a munitions factory in Preston.

Spanning 150 acres and home to around 400 memorials, the Arboretum provided a rich and engaging environment for learning. The volunteer guides were extremely knowledgeable and offered encouragement and insight throughout the day.

Year 7 student Talia said: "It was a really good day that gave us lots of information about the First World War. It was interesting to find out about the different people who were involved in the war and to see the memorials, such as the one about men who were shot at dawn."