A local actor has discovered a fascinating connection between a play he is rehearsing and a gun he owns.

Peter Reynold’s deactivated Smith & Wesson 445 revolver was used in the battle depicted in the play, Journey’s End that the Dartington Playgoers are currently rehearsing.

Mr Reynolds first became acquainted with the revolver about 45 years ago and became intrigued by the name etched onto the weapon.

“The fact that a young Royal Flying Corps officer had scratched his name on it brought home the reality of life at that time” explained Mr Reynolds.

He felt etching a name onto property was “so typical of youth” it made him think about “how young these brave men were” and how quickly they were trained for war after leaving school.

With research, Mr Reynolds discovered the gun belonged to Franklin Burns, born in Birkenhead in 1899 the youngest of four children.

He entered 6 Squadron for training at the age of 16 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. At this point, the gun was issued to him.

“This young officer was alive at the time of the spring offensive in March 1918…he was posted to 29 Squadron and based to the east of St Quentin flying as reconnaissance for the artillery divisions along the Somme line.

Journey’s End, one of the most famous plays about World War One is set over four days prior to this offensive known as Operation Michael. This made the play a hugely poignant and significant piece for Mr Reynolds to be involved in.

“I want the cast to feel Lieutenant Burns, as being as much alive as the characters we are creating and portraying” added Mr Reynolds.

Journey’s End, presented by Dartington Playgoers and directed by Leon Winston is showing in Studio 31 at Dartington from Tuesday, March 20 to Saturday, March 24.

To book tickets, please visit www.playgoers.co.uk, www.dartington.org/whats-on or call the Dartington Box Office on 01803 847070.

The Dartington Playgoers have been presenting high quality performances at Dartington for over 50 years.