AN EVENT to give people a real life experience of the First World War attracted hundreds of keen learners.

The exhibitions and talks were held on Saturday, May 6, at Vestry House Museum in Vestry Road, Walthamstow, and St Mary’s Church in Church End, Walthamstow.

Actors dressed up as medics and soldiers re-enacted their roles in the Great War and a group of authors gave a series of talks about their books based on the war.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Organiser Malcolm Doolin, an education consultant, said he wanted to make the topic interesting for people of all ages and show Walthamstow’s contribution to the war.

Mr Doolin, who is a member of the east London branch of the, said: “I was very pleased with the amount of people who supported the event.

“I think they gained a lot of knowledge about the war and what the local people did during the war.

“It opened people’s eyes because they may not have known about how the war affected the local area.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

“There was a factory in Blackhorse Road that used to make buses. They were red buses and they were camouflaged and sent to the war to transport soldiers. I think the children found it interesting and they very much appreciated the actors.

 “A lot of people at the event went up to the archives at Vestry House Museum to do some research and I hope this will encourage them to go back and learn more.”

Mark Smith, of Antiques Road Show, was on hand to value medals awarded to soldiers who fought in the war.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The Western Front Association aims to promote study, learning and research into the Great War of 1914-18.

For more information about the organisation click here.