THE stories of hundreds of brave steelworkers who left Newport to fight in the First World War have been retold in a poignant play by a group of primary school children.

Millbrook Primary School pupils performed at the Lysaght Institute yesterday as part of an event called Steel Remembered, held ahead of the centenary of the conflict.

A total of 121 workers at the Orb steelworks perished in the war, with the Millbrook students paying tribute to them through the play, which was both humourous and heart-wrenching.

They told of people like George Henry Spicer, a reservist who was one of the first steelworkers to be called up.
Aged 29, he died of his wounds after trying to rescue his injured commanding officer.

The pupils also told of women from Newport who stepped into the professions of the departing men.

The steelworks, then run by William Lysaght, worked with the ministry of munitions to address the shortage of shells when the war was at its peak.

The children ended their play with a minute’s silence while the Last Post played in the hall.

In the audience were John Griffiths AM, Jessica Morden MP, and Newport’s mayor, Malcolm Linton – who during the play felt the wrath of a young sergeant major.

Afterwards, Mr Griffiths gave a speech to the audience, in which he reflected on how assembly members had, several years ago, felt it right that young people should be at the forefront of the First World War centenary commemorations.

“Watching the children today shows what a good idea it was,” he said.

Mr Griffiths said he hoped local history would feature prominently in the new curriculum put forward by the Welsh government, and said today’s event and the wider Steel Remembered project taught valuable lessons to today’s society.

“It’s very important to remember the horrors of war,” he said.

“Today we are very lucky in our part of the world to live in peace. Very often I think we don’t appreciate how lucky we are.

“This project is very valuable for remembering the horrors of war and the futility and senselessness of it all.”

MP Ms Morden added: “This is a fantastic project run by Linc Cymru and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund which has really caught the imagination of the community and local schools.  It’s so important we remember our people’s history and this project tells the stories of all those around the Lysaght Orb Works who played their part in the First World War.”