A full day of presentations at Chelmsford

On Wednesday 02 July 2014 PPP delivered multi character presentations to Widford Lodge preparatory School in Chelmsford.

The first character to be introduced to year three Was Private Parsons surrounded by the usual furniture of war, sound effects and complete with smoke the pupils took in the full extent of trench life.

Pte Parsons presented to four classes of years three and four and was able to impart on all of them what life and trench routine entailed in 1915.

Pte Parsons of the 19 (St Pancras) Battalion the London Regiment in a captured German trench at Festubert.

Corporal Parsons was next up to conduct presentations to year five who were introduced to recruit life and basic training 1914 style.  Pupils were selected to be attested and these individuals were able to wear an original Derby scheme armband and learned the process behind the scheme and why it was established.

Two other pupil recruits from each class were inducted into wearing service uniforms and 1908 webbing equipment.  The pupils could see and feel the texture of the uniforms and learned about the webbing equipment that a recruit would need to carry.

Corporal Parsons fits out two recruits with equipment.

Following these presentations the pupils were led outside to learn and experience the rigours of foot drill.  The pupils were instructed in the arts of how to “size off” and “form fours”.

After a WW1 culinary dish, the recipe for which was provided by PPP as part of the Pre Arrival Pack, it was the turn of Private Placid to present to year two.

Pte Placid explained the route and stages of casualty evacuation from the front line using the medium of a chalk board.

The highlight for the students was to try on examples of the various head protection worn by all Armies on the Western front.