Mildenhall College Academy students get a taste of life for wartime soldiers away from the trenches

Pupils at Mildenhall College Academy took part in a visit to a very special place for soldiers who served during World War One.

History students aged seven to 12 visited Talbot House near Ypres.

This was rented by the armed forces from a Belgian businessman and became a club for servicemen where they could relax and escape the horrors of war. There were no ranks inside the club and soldiers could relax by reading, playing chess and enjoying a cup of tea. Personnel also put on Happy Hopper cabaret shows in the nearby hop barn.

The pupils joined students from four other schools in the region to experience for themselves some of the untold history of the conflict.

In December they will return to Talbot House where they will stage their own Happy Hopper show in the hop barn. Parents are also invited to join them.

Richard Kerridge, humanities faculty leader, said: “We want to tell pupils the stories that never got told and encourage them to look beyond what they are normally taught about history.”