Discovering the First World War through our archive

In the last month, staff from the National Railway Museum learning team have had a fantastic time working with local schools on our First World War learning programme.

We were very kindly invited into Tadcaster Grammar School, Sherburn High School, York High School and Canon Lee School to work with their Year 9 students (aged 13-14) on some of our fantastic archive materials related to the First World War ambulance trains. The students warmly welcomed us and were a credit to their schools.


Tadcaster Grammar School students working with archive materials


They were enthusiastic about the documents we showed them and were eager to find out more. They completed an activity to find out how many staff worked on board an ambulance train, in comparison to patients, and studied primary documents to build their knowledge and understanding of the trains and the experiences of those on board. They engaged really well with the documents we showed them, offering insightful comments and thoughts on the stories of the men and women who served on the ambulance trains.

The pupils were especially interested in the fact that many of the trains carried men of all different nationalities, including injured German Prisoners of War. They were intrigued to hear that we have not been able to find any records of this causing conflict on the train, and were able to draw conclusions from this about the soldiers and their attitudes to the ‘enemy’. They were also fascinated by the fans which sat above each bed. An addition later in the war, they were used to disperse gas from gas attack victims, because the build-up of gas on the clothes caused the medical staff to be exposed to it too.


The inside of an Ambulance Carriage (photo from National Railway Museum archives)


The students offered lots of wonderful insights into the sources and their feedback will be used to shape our First World War learning programme, which will sit alongside our Ambulance Train exhibition. We are developing this learning programme in partnership with York Theatre Royal, and will be creating resources which showcase our fantastic archive collection. Students from both schools will also continue to be involved in this process.

Thank you again to the Year 9 pupils from Tadcaster Grammar School and Sherburn High School for their efforts and hard work, and of course to their teachers for hosting us. Thank you as well to the Year 9 pupils and teachers from York High School and Canon Lee School, all of whom have been invaluable in their help so far. The First World War Ambulance Train project is being kindly funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorventure and the friends of the National Railway Museum.



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Claire,

I, well my 13 year old son assisted by my older brother have done some research into my grandfather.

We have his marriage certificate and his father is listed as a railway inspector. I have a SECR Whistle which belonged so I am told to 'someone' in the family, I think it must be his.

Any ideas as to how we can find out something about his father?? His father in law was a piece of cake - my son asked me what his name was and seconds later said Ah I have his obituary - here at http://www.hm-waterguard.org.uk/Obituary - Nathan Thompson CBE.pdf

Many thanks

John