Lessons about the First World War have taken on a new

dimension for one set of pupils.

Fifteen copies of Newington Remembers, which details the social and military lives of the 140 villagers who fought in the war, including the 31 who died, have been given to the village’s primary school so youngsters can better understand the conflict.

They were handed over by two of the three authors, Dean Coles and Thelma Dudley, during a special assembly last month.

Debbie Haigh, the other writer, was unable to attend.

Head teacher Trudi Godfrey, said: “Most of the men included in the book would have attended this school only a few years before they went off to war.

“They would themselves have been taught history in the hall where we held our presentation.

“The children’s studies of the Great War will be enhanced through these books.

“It’ll bring it home to them how their community was affected.

“They’ll read about where these men lived and then be able to see their houses and where they worked.

“As a school, it would be interesting for us to work out if any of our pupils are related to the men mentioned in the book and if they live in the homes they occupied.”

Apart from photographs of the soldiers, the book includes one taken when some of them were pupils at the school in 1898.

Mr Coles, chairman of
Newington History Group (NHG), said: “An important part of NHG’s work is to pass on our knowledge to the next generation and to encourage interest in their village and its heritage.”

The publication, which took two years to research, was launched on March 5.

NHG meets on the second Thursday of the month and welcomes new members and guests.

The book is available for £10, plus £2.50 p&p, by calling 01795 842711 or emailing thelma@newingtonhistory.co.uk