Boys dig for victory in lockdown and build incredible World War II installation in their back garden

Jacob and Alfie Oglesbee have really dug for victory and created an incredible installation in their back garden that would not look out of place in the Imperial War Museum.

After digging a small trench last summer, the boys decided to make it a little bigger during lockdown, and then it became bigger and bigger, until they decided to do it properly and recreate a near life-size wartime trench.

They followed this up by deciding to convert their old play house into a replica of an air raid shelter.

Mum Amy said: “The boys dug a small ‘trench’ in the garden last summer. Whilst we have been on lockdown and completing home learning the boys have spent time studying how life would have been for soldiers in the trenches.

“They asked if they could make their trench a little bigger and began digging further. About five weeks ago, after them asking repeatedly to dig more, we decided if we were going to do it then we should do it as a big project and do it properly!”

She and her partner Artur Voronenko joined in with Artur helping with the digging, and all four of them putting in the 50 sandbags around the side.

Amy said Jacob, 11, and Alfie, 9, who both go to Hawthorn Tree Primary School, were really looking forward to celebrating VE Day by dressing up and attending the celebrations at RAF East Kirkby until lockdown meant all public events were cancelled.

“The boys have always shown an interest in anything war related and enjoy visiting museums and visitor centres such as the ‘We'll Meet Again’ WW2 museum in Freiston, Boston,” Amy said.

“Studying this as a topic in school has also added to the boys’ thirst for knowledge about this time in history.”

She said they were now planning their own celebration at home. “They are planning on spending the day in the trench in 1940's inspired clothing. They want to try cooking some spam in their ration tins and see how it tastes!” she said

“They are also planning to spend the night in the trench during the summer to experience what it would have felt like for the soldiers.”

Although no one else has had chance to have a proper look around the trench and the shelter because of the lockdown, neighbours and friends have been staggered to see the extent of the project from pictures and by looking into the garden.

Amy said: “Friends are a little surprised that they have been allowed to dig a huge hole in the garden but have all been amazed when they've seen photos of the finished result.

“We're all looking forward to having family and friends around in hopefully the not the too far future for an official opening celebration!”

The boys believe it is important to mark VE Day and remember those who fought and gave their lives for us.

Alfie said: "It’s good to remember the people who fought for us. They were brave and heroic.”

And Jacob added: "It’s important to remember those who fought and died for our country. It’s a big part of our British history.

“We must remember the bad things that happened to hopefully prevent history from repeating itself.”