Explore First World War life in recreated trench

Curated by Forest Town local historian Pauline Marples, Clipstone Camp and Mansfield in World War One opened at the Leeming Street Museum on Saturday.

The exhibition, which runs until 22nd November, is the third in the museum’s trio marking the outbreak of hostilities 100 years ago.

The camp’s story has been brought to life through photographs, documents. artefacts and the letters of some of the thousands of soldiers who were stationed at Clipstone Camp at the exhibition, which was opened by Coun Mick Barton.

Pauline said: “This is the largest and most exciting exhibition I have done so far in Mansfield Museum.

“It’s exiting because of the wide and varied information there is to be gleaned about the Clipstone Military Training Camp, the military hospital, and the effect on Mansfield.

“It will appeal to all ages and groups with over 100 photographs plus documents letters and artefacts. There is plenty to make people smile, or shed a tear as they discover what an amazing part this area played in the history of the Great War.”

Construction on the camp began in 1914, soon after the outbreak of the war and it took its first cohort the following year - with the arrival of 5,000 troops from the University and Public Schools Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers.

The camp then grew to be the largest in the country.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. Admission is free.