STAFF and students from The Skipton Academy, together with the Skipton Royal British Legion Band, recreated the send off that the First World War recruits from Craven received 100 years ago when they left Settle.

The young actors marched down the station platform to The British Grenadiers before performing a military drill and finishing with a rendition of the National Anthem.

They were joined by relatives of the recruits, who were known as Tunstill’s Men after recruiting campaigner Harry Gilbert Tunstill.

Among them was Dennis Maunders, 90, the son of Robert Maunders, who boarded the train from Settle on September 21, 1914.

Commenting on Sunday’s events, he said: "The re-enactment was absolutely great. My father was on this platform exactly 100 years ago today. It’s been a great event, and I have met many people who are related to people who knew my father."

Also present at the event was Settle Town Mayor, Cllr Ian Robinson

He said: "Today is very relevant to people who live in Settle and the area. It is remarkable to think that young men were leaving Settle to fight in World War One on this very day 100 years ago. The young men knew nothing of the horror of World War One as they left.

"I would like to thank every involved especially the young students of Skipton Academy. It is very important to get young people to appreciate the sacrifice so many made 100 years ago."

Following the re-enactment at Settle train station, Skipton Academy gave a special performance of their acclaimed production, Tunstill’s Men, which tells the story of the recruits from the recruitment campaign to the battlefields of France.

Cllr Linda Brockbank, chairman of Craven District Council, said: "Staff and students from The Skipton Academy clearly put a lot of effort into this production, which was very well executed. I was delighted to hear from the young actors how much they enjoyed being involved.”

The events were part of the Heritage Lottery-funded Craven and the First World War project, which aims to build a greater understanding of life in Craven during the First World War.

Project officer Rob Freeman said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support that has been shown to us by a host of individuals and organisations from across Craven. We hope that, in return, everyone involved has learned something new about the unique events that affected the lives of men and women in Craven 100 years ago.”

The story of Tunstill’s recruits did not end at the platform of Settle’s historic station and the story of the company from 1914 to 1919 can be followed, day-by-day, via an online diary created by Dr Bill Smith, head of humanities at The Skipton Academy. It can be viewed at tunstillsmen.blogspot.co.uk.