Children from Dover College Junior School were invited to take part in a unique high speed history lesson on board a commemorative Southeastern Poppy train last week in partnership with The Royal British Legion.
More than 30, Year 5 and 6, pupils learned about the sacrifice made by men, women and children during the First World War whilst travelling from Dover Priory to Ashford International.
As part of the Royal British Legion’s Thank You movement to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, the children were invited to draw pictures to say ‘Thank You’ to those who fought and
the families left behind during the war effort. They also heard about the key role that the railway played in helping carry troops and supplies to the frontline. Many chose to dedicate their drawings to
Dover College alumnus, Captain Wilfred “Billie” Nevill, who led the famous ‘Football Charge’ of the East Surrey Regiment in July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme.
Ahead of the special journey, the children joined Southeastern’s managing director David Statham at the Dover Western Docks Remembrance service. During the service, Head Girl, Ciara Flisher and
Head Boy, Sebastian Gebhardt laid a wreath on behalf of Dover College Junior School at the War Memorial to help commemorate the 556 men of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway who fought
and died in the First World War.
