Training for the Trenches
www.staffspasttrack.org.uk/exhibit/chasecamps||
In the autumn of 1914, only months after the start of the First World War, the construction of two large army training camps began on Cannock Chase. The camps were known as Brocton Camp and Rugeley Camp. The infrastructure for the camps, including the water supply, sewage systems and the roads all had to be created from scratch before work could begin on the huts and other structures.
The camps, when completed, could hold up to 40,000 men at one time and probably trained upwards of 500,000 men. They had all their own amenities including a church, post offices and a bakery as well as amenity huts where the troops could by coffee and cakes, or play billiards. There was even a theatre.
In 2009, 'Training for the Trenches' created a new schools Keystage 2 and 3 package using the recently reconstructed original hut from Brocton Army Training Camp on Cannock Chase, which is now at the Visitor Centre on Marquis Drive||.
About the Resource
The project's aims were to look at ideas of remembrance and citizenship through studying issues around the Great War.
The schools project enabled pupils to find out about soldiers' experiences on Cannock Chase during the Great War before they set off to the trenches on the continent, using first-person interpretation.
A supporting teacher's pack, activity packs and on-line resources were developed. On their visit, school children were able to meet and talk to two soldiers from the Great War (Brett and Neil from the Shugborough visitor services staff were our splendid first-person interpreters). They then acted as curators, selecting objects in the Hut which they felt were most important in representing life in the camp in 1914-1918, and presented their findings to the rest of the class.
The Great War Hut is now fully kitted out with furniture, equipment, costume, accompanying exhibition and on-line resource .
Some teacher's comments:
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"How refreshing to have a visit where the children are active participants. Children had to alter their thinking to be a curator - not easy, but a great challenge"
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"The fact that the gentlemen were in uniform immediately captured the children's attention. They were fascinated by the information which was expertly delivered at their level. Impressive!"
Some children's comments:
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"It really interested me to like history a lot more" (age 11)
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"I learned how hard life was in World War 1" (age 11)
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"I thought it was interesting and fantastic how the two men dressed up like soldiers, it was so realistic." (age 11)
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"I didn't like museums before I came here. But I like museums now. This is the best museum ever" (age 11)
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"The best thing I learnt was about how they lived and ate during the war" (age 11)
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"It was good that you could ask lots of questions and get answers" (age 10)
The Their Past, Your Future bid was led by the Arts & Museum Service and was a partnership project between the Library & Information Service, Archive Service, Countryside Services, Development Services, Shugborough Estate, Museum of Cannock Chase, Schools Improvement Division, The Friary High School, Lichfield, and the Birmingham Pals. The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Museums Libraries & Archives Council.
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