A hundred school children from across the diocese experienced a slice of life from the First World War as the battle of Passchendaele was remembered at Salisbury Cathedral.

The two-day event, organised by the armed forces charity the SSAFA, marks the centenary of the battle, remembered as being one of the bloodiest battles on the 'war to end all wars'.

On Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7 primary and secondary school children took part in a range of activities on the cathedral lawn.

The experience including a collection of war memorabilia including original communications equipment, a replica of a Bristol Scout bi-plane and a Mk2 tanks. Children also re-lived what life was like on the front line with a large reconstructed tent system.

Speaking before the event, Col Stephen Oxlade, chairman of the Wiltshire branch of SSAFA, said: “We hope that the Passchendaele experience will be both fascinating and thought-provoking.

“Addressing the hard facts of WW1 and encouraging us to reflect on those who died or were injured in not just WW1 but in all subsequent wars, particularly in relation to our present-day soldiers and their families.”

The first day of activities ended with a special Passchendaele Evensong in the cathedral which was designed to reflect on the three month battle which cost the lives of 325,000 allied soldiers and 260,000 Germans.

The lessons were read by General Sire Michael Jackson, one of the highest profile British generals since the Second World War along with Lt. Gen Sir Andrew Gregory, controller of the SSAFA.

The music was provided by the Salisbury City Band and the Royal British Legion.

During the event, youngsters also learnt about the nature of warcraft today with a static drone display by 18 Battery and 32 Regiment Royal Artillery.

The unmanned aircrafts provide imagery intelligence and live video feeds to organisations, including various headquarters, infantry battlegroups and UK special forces and have seen action in Afghanistan and Iraq.