World War One Commemoration

We are delighted to confirm that after much consideration and public support our World War One commemoration area is continuing for 2022 and will again feature the highly acclaimed replica Western Front trench system supported by original steam and historic vehicles from the 1914 – 1918 conflict, associated equipment, living history group soldiers and horses. The display has been carefully and sensitively compiled in honour and memory of all those who served their country during this terrible conflict, millions of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Historians and commentators visiting our replica WW1 trench system since its inception in 2014 have remarked on the accuracy and attention to detail of the display, some regarding it as one of the most notable WW1 trench re-creations in Europe, something we at the Great Dorset Steam Fair are immensely proud of. Added in 2019 was 50 metres of underground bunker consisting of tunnels and rooms underneath the frontline, faithfully reconstructed to WW1 plans with the tunnels lined with rough cut planks, wooden beams and period lighting. Also, for the first time in preservation history, in 2019 we displayed together three full size replica WW1 MK IV tanks and crews visiting from the Norfolk Tank Musuem, Bovington Tank Musuem and the Pond Farm Collection from Passchendale in Belgium.

World War Two Commemorations

This year our WW2 display area will feature an authentic re-creation of a blitzed small English town from the 1940’s, bombed by the German Luftwaffe. The area will consist of an English pub, Cafe, partially demolished bomb damaged houses and building frontages, rubble, timber and associated debris with civilian and emergency vehicles of the period. There will also be Living History re-enactors depicting WW2 Emergency Services, Police, Air Raid Wardens, Red Cross Nurses and Local Defence Volunteers. Performances of entertainment will be staged out of the re-created war-torn local 1940 Cinema throughout each afternoon of the 2022 show to include the Glen Miller Orchestra UK, the D-Day Darlings and Chrystal Bliss, singing and playing music from the war years. A full schedule of confirmed Performers will appear under the “Live Music” button of this website in due course. In the meantime, the list of performers on the WW2 Stage from our last show in 2019 can be seen under the “Live Music” button which highlights the quality and type of acts which will be playing in 2022. 

Please see below photographs of the acclaimed authentically created replica WW1 Western Front trench system at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.