Dervock pupils go back to the dark days of World War II

Staff, pupils and almost 80 family members and friends met in the school’s assembly hall to take part in a re-enactment of life depicting all aspects of the War – and it proved an outstanding success.

The idea for the production came when pupils from Primaries 4 and 5 – taught by Ms Jackie Galbraith - had been given the study topic Second World War.

More senior pupils were engaged in music and drama taught by Mrs Honor Crowe’s and the suggestion was made that the classes could come together for a production that combined dialogue with music.

Much time and preparation went in to creating a story pattern which illustrated the harsh realities of the War including the rush to air shelters when bombing occurred to evacuees finding new homes.

There was also the gung-ho spirit pervading those caught up in the bombings and a brief synopsis of the rise of Hitlerism in Germany which led to the Second World War.

The play also showed how families were broken up and the heartbreak that caused.

But the closing message showed how families kept close and hung on to each other through the depressing circumstances.

The song most associated with the Forces sweetheart Vera Lynn ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ brought the play to a conclusion and a much deserved standing ovation.

Indeed, such was the performance of the children combined with the music, that a few present unashamedly shed a few tears.

Posters from the 1940s adorned the walls and two representatives of the Mid-Ulster branch of the Friends of the Somme Dessie Gordon and Martin Brennan were present to give a talk. Bushmills historian, Glenda Rodgers, has also offered her experience in the future.

One lady from Belfast told of life during the blitz on Belfast – an unexpected and welcome addition to the proceedings.

The highlight, however, for the families and friends was the World War II party which went down a treat.

Teachers and pupils at the school can feel justifiably proud of their efforts and the exercise may be repeated in the future.