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Duration 0:52

The Great War: A ‘fella’ can drown

Henry describes how trenches are often wet and muddy or even flooded. He describes how shells have churned up the land and that shell holes can fill up with mud and water, sometimes causing men to drown.

Context

This clip is one of fourteen clips in which actor John Gregor recreates a Great War soldier called Henry Fairhurst of the Barnsley Pals. Here he describes conditions in the trenches.

Interesting or important points about the film

In all of these clips of Henry Fairhurst it is important to be aware that the actor is reconstructing a character from the past. He is using original source material and other research to create what he thinks is a plausible reconstruction of the thoughts and views of a private in the Barnsley Pals. When watching each clip it is important that viewers consider whether they feel the information given is accurate, but much more importantly whether they feel the tone and emphasis the actor gives to particular issues is in line with their own reading of the evidence from the time.