St Paulinus Workshop

19th & 20th June 2017

The year 5s and 6s were introduced to Wilfred Salmon’s story. The year 5s learnt about him on the first day and the year 6s on the second. Peter gave a presentation about Wiff’s life.

Throughout the presentation, there were clips and songs to keep the children engaged. These songs will be used in the musical the kids will be performing in Bexleyheath.

There were also replica WW1 uniforms and hats that the children could try on as well as medals and photographs that they could look at.

Wilfred's family tree and school

Wilfred's attestation papers

RFC training

Wilfred's grave and medals

The booklet used for the presentation was, for the majority, based on Wiff’s life – his heritage, his childhood, his life as a jackaroo, joining the army, joining the RFC, his death and his legacy.

Conditions in the Somme

RFC uniforms

Wiff's Sopwith Pup

It also showcased background information on the war, the conditions faced by the soldiers who served in the Somme, the various uniforms that would have been worn by Wiff and the types of planes that Wiff would have flown and faced.

General Smuts enquiry into the failings of the RFC and the RNAS - resulting in the formation of the RAF

The Vickers Vimy

It also highlights that the formation of the RAF and the first plane to successfully cross the Atlantic was largely down to Wiff’s actions.