On Friday 18th October, Maple and Chestnut class took part in a WWII day. We baked chocolate cakes using an authentic wartime recipe. Major Skinner came in to school to show the children how to march and we explored a 1954 Renee retrieval army truck that came to see us. We also had the opportunity to make medals, make our own enigma machine, have a go at code cracking and try out 1940’s hairstyles such as victory rolls for the girls and slicked back hair for the boys.

In the afternoon, the children had a visit from Mr John Crouch who came to share the incredible story of his father’s experiences during WWII. Mr Sydney Crouch, from Whatlington, was captured in France and marched to Poland, where he survived as a prisoner of war. Until the Red Cross found him and informed his family, they believed him to be dead. Sydney went on to live until he was 90! Thank you to Mr Crouch for sharing information on one of the many people who served locally and nationally in WWII.