THE story of a young man who left Castle Drogo to go to war has been researched by Okehampton College students at the National Trust property on Dartmoor.

Staff and volunteers at the stately home at Drewsteignton have been working with students from the 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.

In the course of their research, they have uncovered a letter of farewell from his boss at Castle Drogo, J. C. Walker, who wrote to William: ‘I hope you have a good time, do your duty to King and Country and come back at the end of the War’.

Inspired by the story of William George, the music and drama students 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, March 9.

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. 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.

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.