Life in the trenches exhibition in Edinburgh

"AN exhibition bringing to life the perils of early 20th century warfare is being held at the National War Museum in Edinburgh this weekend.
Life in the Trenches will see a team of Gordon Highlander and First World War nurse re-enactors explain the difficulties faced by soldiers in battle, ranging from rat-infested trenches to chemical warfare and the practicalities of wearing a kilt."
Digging up details of life in the trenches - Scotsman.com News

 

sounds good gordon, entrance fee £14? is that right, steep enough to deter many would you think..

 

It is a bit steep, Ray. Embra's only an hour on the train, but the cost would put me off.

 

not the way to pull them in, it would seem..

 

My Grandfather always said 'Until you can recreate that smell, it's all pointless'.

 

Didn't they try that at the trenches section in the IWM a few years back?

 

Maybe the muddy smell.?? Years ago I read about an old vet going to the IWM. I think they were reuniting him with his wartime trunk. He'd had it on the Western front. The museum managed to trace him. Apparently, when they opened it, the smell of the trenches wafted out. Swamped the vet with all kinds of emotions.

My Grandfather said the sickly smell of rotting bodies and foul cesspits, the cold, the rats, the lice and the awful food were far stronger memories over the years than the fear and heat of battle.

He told a few stories to me as I grew up, all but one were self mocking about the danger he and his mates were in. All but one. That was the day his column halted to rest at dawn. As they slumped down a soldier was lead across the road, into a kind of gully to be executed. My Grandfather made eye contact with the fella. That moment, that split second always stayed with him.

 

my grandfather, awoke in a morgue, from the effects of gas, they thought he was dead. thankfully, he lived to tell the tale, and I, to enjoy having him around for many years, until his death, aged 88yrs, that was some 30yrs ago now,..R.I.P. frank..sadly missed..

I just wrote a poem this morning too, and posted it..and on the attack from trench. how odd..too much time on my hands..lol.