The first story explores the life of First World War sailor James Weddick. Born in Limerick, he served aboard HMS Caroline at the Battle of Jutland, 1916, as chief gunner. The second focuses on Belfast woman Betty McCabe, who was a Second World War Wren (Women’s Royal Naval Service) attached to HMS Caroline.
Together, the two stories explore the history of HMS Caroline in the context of both wars and draw upon the curatorial research and archive material held in the collections of HMS Caroline/NMRN.
Ruth Osborne, Learning and Community Engagement Manager at HMS Caroline, says the stories for the novel were drawn from research compiled by HMS Caroline’s curator and two curatorial volunteers, with input from relatives of both Betty McCabe and James Weddick.
“This project has bought to life the archival and collections material we hold relating to two fascinating individuals from HMS Caroline’s history. We worked with the Nerve Centre to develop the storylines for the novel based on interviews, diaries and personal accounts written by James Weddick and Betty McCabe.
“The graphic novel helps deliver clear messages about the personal experiences of those who served during both wars and presents historic facts in a relatable and accessible format for students covering the subject at Key Stage Three,” says Ms Osborne.
“The volunteers who helped make the book happen were both young people studying heritage subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The volunteer roles were structured to offer them essential skills development and workplace experience to support them in pursuing careers in the sector.”
“Crucially, the novel offers both a male and female perspective on these key moments of history and provides a local link between HMS Caroline and both the Island of Ireland and Belfast/Northern Ireland,” she says.
Alongside the illustrated stories, the novel functions as a learning resource for Key Stage Three and offers a range of classroom-based activities for students and educators to engage with HMS Caroline’s story as part of their studies.
Forty-five Key Stage Three pupils drawn from two Northern Ireland schools, St. Columbanus School, Bangor and St. Malachy’s College, Belfast, trialled the activities and took part in Key Stage Three learning sessions at HMS Caroline as part of the novel’s development.
To launch the novel, a limited print run of first editions has been produced and will be available upon request to schools that book a Key Stage Three visit to HMS Caroline.
The novel will be widely available for download in the future. This project has been generously supported and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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