TWO local history enthusiasts took a step back in time when they were part of an 80-mile march to re-enact the First World War's Retreat from Mons.

David Whithorn and Lee Gristwood, who both work at AWE Aldermaston, travelled to Mons, in Belgium, in August, to start the long march to St Quentin in north east France.

The five-day march marked the 90th anniversary of the start of the war in August 1914, and the 50 people who took part were dressed in full 1914 British army uniform and lived as the soldiers did.

Mr Whithorn, 45, of Brambling Close in Kempshott, works as an AWE research scientist team leader and played a support role in the re-enactment with the Army Service Corps.

He said: "It was a privilege to take part in the re-enactment knowing that we were trying to show everyone that the British people still care.

"My goal is to make sure the soldiers are not forgotten."

But Mr Whithorn, who has researched the Great War for 25 years, described the experience as "exhausting".

He said: "The days were very long at about 16 hours, and the rest of the time we were trying to sleep, but it was very cold and not comfortable."

The marchers camped as the soldiers did 90 years ago, under canvas with just ground sheets and blankets, sleeping in their uniforms.

They also cooked on the old cookers and stuck to simple food similar to what their heroes ate.

Ministry of Defence police officer Pc Gristwood, 39, from Southampton, marched at the front as a lance corporal.

He said: "I cannot begin to imagine what the original soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force endured in those dark days of 1914.

"However, I have nothing but respect for them, now deepened by my own experiences. I also felt their comradeship and determination to see it through."

Mr Whithorn and Pc Gristwood raised about £500 between them for the Royal British Legion.