From Castle Drogo to Salonika – exploring the First World War stories ‘Away from the Western Front’
‘I hope you will have a good time, do your duty to the King and Country, and come back at the end of the War’.
These were the words of J. C. Walker, Clerk of Works at Castle Drogo, in a letter to one of his young labourers when he went off to war in 1914. A century later, his story is being retold by local young people in the place where he worked, Castle Drogo.
National Trust staff and volunteers from Castle Drogo on Dartmoor have been working with students from Okehampton College to explore the First World War story of a young man from Drewsteignton called William George Arscott. Together, they have been learning about his journey – from local church bell-ringer and labourer at Castle Drogo to Private Number 11611, 10th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Private Arscott ended his service in Salonika, Greece, where he sadly died on the 29 January 1918 aged 24.
Inspired by the story of William George, the music and drama students at Okehampton College have developed a series of creative pieces to illustrate the impact of the First World War on the local community. These moving and emotional pieces were performed in the Chapel at Castle Drogo on Friday 9 March.
Paula Clarke, Community Engagement Officer for the National Trust at Castle Drogo, said: ‘It has been truly inspirational to see how the students have connected with the story of a young man from Drewsteignton and the incredible journey he went on. Their increased understanding of the scale of this war and how it reached in to every corner of home has been significant.’
The final performances have been filmed and, together with a presentation created by history students at the College, will form part of a First World War display which will be in Castle Drogo’s Chapel later this year.
This activity is part of the Heritage Lottery funded ‘Away From the Western Front’ project which explores the stories of the men and women from Britain and its former Empire who served in the often overlooked campaigns of Salonika, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia and Africa. For more information about this exciting project please visit https://awayfromthewesternfront.org/projects/castle-drogo-to-salonika
or contact info@awayfromthewesternfront.org.
Photo: W G Arscott's grave in the Sarigol Military Cemetery (Photo courtesy of Apostolos Nalmpantis) 2
