THE TRENCH EXPERIENCE

RCN 1114807, Woking

The Object of The Trench Experience is to further the education of the public in relation to the sacrifice of soldiers during the Great War 1914-1918.; and to tell of the hardships endured by civilians on the Home Front. We use the history of the Artists Rifles Regiment to illustrate WW1 events. They produced over 10,000 officers and so became part of the history of every Regiment in the British Army, the RFC and the RAF.

Firstly, the video is from a recent one day exhibition of a very small collection of items from The Trench Experience. The venue was Dukes Road former HQ of The Artists Rifles beside St. Pancras Church in London. For the past 8 years The Charity has occupied a woodland site within the Grade1 listed grounds of Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, Surrey  beside the CWGC (Commonwealth War Grave Commission) military site. Our 100 ft barn replicates a café or an 'estaminet' of WW1, here we play host to visiting individuals and groups many of whom attend memorial events in the military cemetery. These include veterans and serving men and women, school children and scout groups etc. Czech and Slovak. American, Belgium. French and Polish are among our regular visitors.

During WW2 the Nazi's refused to allow the Last Post Ceremony to be played at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium; so every day it was played at Brookwood. The Brookwood Last Post Association has met since 1945. We now play host to their monthly Commemoration. Recently over 200 people attended for the 100th anniversary of the ABMC ( American Battle Monuments Commission), we were proud to play our part in the commemoration.

The Trench Experience has occupied our Brookwood site for 8 years and now has the fantastic opportunity to purchase the freehold; thus securing our position for generations to come. 

So far we have £200K but need to raise the same again if we are to successfully acquire the freehold.


Latest

Rachel Robinson – £80

18th March 2026  

Andrew Ronald – £5 + an est. £1.25 in Gift Aid

9th November 2025  

Hilary Silverman – £5

Good luck!

9th November 2025  

Melissa Campbell – £40

This should be funded by the Government to help preserve our history, but we know that will never happen! Hope you are successful in securing the future for something so important.

9th November 2025  

Karen Hankey – £40 + an est. £10.00 in Gift Aid

A very worthy cause that I’m proud to support. We must never forget the sacrifices made by those who came before us.

9th November 2025  

Jane Blakey – £10 + an est. £2.50 in Gift Aid

9th November 2025  

Ian Rowles – £10 + an est. £2.50 in Gift Aid

Fantastic hidden gem, will be coming back for more.

5th November 2025  

Jolyon Rouse – £40

5th November 2025  

Anonymous – £25 + an est. £6.25 in Gift Aid

13th September 2025  

jingxuan zhu – £26

the court dress uniform from ebay

17th November 2023  

jingxuan zhu – £26

6th October 2023  

martin beale – £150 + an est. £37.50 in Gift Aid

1st October 2023  

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