The story of World War One 'teacher soldiers' to be told at DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery

Soldiers holding a sign saying 'all that was left'

Almost 100 years after a group of trainee teachers arrived at the frontline in Ypres, a County Durham-born historian will tell their story.

Harry Moses will talk about students from the Teacher Training College of the Honourable Bede in Durham, when he visits the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery later today, April 18.

Students enrolling at the college were expected to join Bede Company, the 8th Battalion DLI, which had traditionally been made up of volunteers.

Along with members of college staff, they undertook volunteer and territorial training, attended an annual camp and took part in drills, during their two-year training course.

Following the declaration of war a number of ex-students re-joined the company.

1912-14 students in their martial regalia.

The men travelled to France in April 1915 with the Durham Brigade of the Northumbria Division and within days were involved in the 2nd Battle of Ypres.

Their first and only action was at the Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge at Ypres Salient on 25 and 26 April.

Dedication of the college war memorial.

The talk, part of the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery’s Military Talks programme, takes place today at 2pm.