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Somehow, and I鈥檓 not quite sure how, I forgot that when I was younger I was obsessed about the First World War. Happy then was I to be reminded as I was invited to attend the 鈥榩review day鈥� of the World War One at 麻豆约拍 event at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, South London on Friday June 27.

As I sat in a marquee and watched the three actors from the Ministry of Fun play out fictional scenes from a whistle stop tour of 1914-1918, I was reminded of watching 鈥楬ow We Used To Live鈥� a school鈥檚 history programme that dramatised the lives of families from past eras, and I recall that when it came to the 1914 episode I was hooked and wanted to find out more about The Great War.

I think however, my initial interest was sparked by a school project, so it was heart-warming to see children from local primary schools taking their own interest in World War One as they witnessed this, the debut show from Ministry of Fun and special guests.

Entertaining, informative and educational, the show mixed hard facts with fictional scenes and kept the children engaged throughout. Larry Lamb spoke to Girl Guide leader Janey about the role of children (guides and scouts) on the home front, which was full of surprises, plus handy hints on what to do with a big stick. Sadly, I didn鈥檛 get picked to put Mr Lamb鈥檚 arm in a sling, which was a bit disappointing, but I kept a stiff upper lip 鈥� or 鈥榚mergency smile鈥� as it was known amongst the brave scouts and guides.

The next special guest was science presenter Steve Mould who had a number of fascinating experiments relating to the war, including something about Zeppelins and how they used hydrogen in the balloons, which is flammable apparently鈥�

As the actors returned for the finale, I decide the marching on the spot element of the show was too much exercise for me, and so decided to have a wander round the site.

The open event which takes place the following day (coinciding with the anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand) is the first of eight large scale events to be held around the UK, seven smaller events have already taken place attracting over 40,000 visitors.

There is a lot to take in. From message sending via pigeon, to trying your hand at being a war reporter, to poppy making, to cracking Morse Code missives.

There is also an assault course, run by the terrifying Regimental Sergeant Major Hudson (or Sir) who is in charge of shouting at people. He puts the children through their paces, and, frankly, the fear of God into me so I take a seat in the 鈥楻ecords Office鈥�. There I get talking to the gentlemen from the Imperial War Museum who are partnering the 麻豆约拍 in the project. This project is an online archive collating data from members of the public as they search for ancestors who took part in the war. They explain how 麻豆约拍 programmes have been acting as a trigger and people are then going online and researching family members.

I鈥檓 encouraged to have a go myself, and so type in my grandfather鈥檚 name, and with some expert help, find him - Sergeant Charles Macro - and also uncover his Royal Naval records. These include details of hospital treatment for a hand injury, and I suddenly remember how he used to keep the shrapnel they removed from his hand in a box in his bedroom, and how I would always ask to look at it when I visited him. Then it hits me just how important it is to collect this information for future generations, as events turn all too rapidly from memory to history.

The World War One at 麻豆约拍 enclosure formed part of a bigger event at the Barracks for Armed Forces Day. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an important day for us鈥� says Nick, the officer in charge of the Morse Code tent, who was sad he could not attend the open 麻豆约拍 event as he would be marching in Chelsea in the aforementioned Armed Forces Day celebrations. It makes me realise that as we remember those who risked and gave their lives in the First World War, that lives are still being risked, and lost, one hundred years after the 鈥榳ar to end all wars鈥�.

The 麻豆约拍 World War One At 麻豆约拍 Tour heads to The Wolverhampton & Black Country Show this weekend, 12 and 13 July 2014 (10.30am 鈥� 6pm). For a full list of 麻豆约拍 World War One At 麻豆约拍 Tour dates and venues as well as World War One programming on the 麻豆约拍 visit

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Jennifer Macro is a听Digital Content Producer, About the 麻豆约拍 Blog and Website.

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