Hands on WW1 experience for Coleraine College pupils

Year 10 students from Coleraine College experienced for themselves what life was like in the trenches during WW1, during a recent trip to the Somme Heritage Centre.
Coleraine College students who visited the Somme Heritage centre as part of their history studies. INCR18Coleraine College students who visited the Somme Heritage centre as part of their history studies. INCR18
Coleraine College students who visited the Somme Heritage centre as part of their history studies. INCR18

Throughout the year the students have been studying World War I in detail.

As part of their studies, the year 10 group have built their own trenches.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Their visit to the Somme Heritage Centre gave them the opportunity to see what life in the trenches was actually like during that era.

During the tour, students were able to walk through a simulated trench experience.

This showed the daily horrors that the soldiers from across the Province, experienced during the Battle of the Somme.

A weapons talk at the end had them all enthralled, as they were able to examine the hand grenades, rifles and bayonets of World War I.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A couple of the Coleraine students, Sam Godfrey and Lewis Vance, were brave enough to try them out.

Later in the afternoon, the students took a guided tour around the Crumlin Road Gaol.

This showed them what crime and punishment was like in the 1800 and 1900’s.

It also helped show highlight how the partition of Ireland, a key issue studied during Year 10, has affected our communities, through the famous names associated with Crumlin Road Gaol.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The tour of the Gaol was a real highlight for the students with tales of imprisonment, escape, bombings and best of all, the visit to the hangman’s noose.

The tour guide informed the students of the Gaol’s troubled past and famous residents.

In his town he gave information about past residents, such as Bobby Sands, Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson.

Coleraine College Principal Mr Marsh, commented that the trip had ‘enriched the pupils’ learning experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for History’.

Related topics: