A CANADIAN rugby team playing in an international competition running alongside the World Cup has visited a former Surrey military camp to learn about their ancestors in the two world wars.

The Canadian Defence rugby team took a tour of Witley camp, which was established on Witley Common, near Milford, by the Canadian Army during both wars, and where an army of volunteers recently participated in an archaeological dig organised by Surrey County Council.

Players were shown star finds, including a Second World War Canadian mess tin, uncovered at the camp, where renowned war poet Wilfred Owen penned a prelude to his famous ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’.

Together with sides from 11 other countries, including New Zealand, Japan and South Africa, the Canadians are playing in the International Defence rugby competition, which runs until October 29.

The county council’s archaeology team are now looking for volunteers to process the artefacts. Anyone interested should e-mail [email protected].