Whilst there he met fellow poet Wilfred Owen and the pair formed a close friendship which later led to them creating some of the most well-known and respected war poetry of the First World War.

It is fitting then that in the centenary year that the historic home of South Hill Park should play host to a revival of Stephen MacDonald’s play, Not About Heroes, chronicling the pair’s unique friendship through their poetry, letters and autobiographical writings.

The art centre’s resident theatre company, Blackeyed Theatre, is producing the play which has been rehearsed at the centre before setting off on a national tour.

James Howard, who will play an older Sassoon — remembering the events from 14 years previous — said: “There’s something very special about performing this piece 100 years on and the power of the story is something I hope audiences will be very moved by.

“I first read the play a few years ago and was gripped by the story and the power of the script and poetry. It’s a huge challenge for two actors to bring the characters to life. The sheer quantity of lines is very daunting. With only one other actor on stage, there is a huge pressure to create a relationship that holds an audience enthralled for two hours.”

Helping Howard on stage will be Reading-born Ben Ashton, whose theatre credits include working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Reading Between The Lines and Newbury’s Watermill Theatre, and he will take on the role of Wilfred Owen.

He said: “It’s a great piece about two people who find each other, help each other and form a great relationship. Meeting Siegfried Sassoon completely transformed Owen’s life and helped make him what we now regard as one of the finest ever poets.”

But Ashton’s challenge was different to Howard’s: “One of the big challenges is living with a moustache for four months,” he said.

“I had to grow one for a previous tour and got so much stick for it from friends and family, and even from strangers walking down the street.

“Back in the First World War it was common place, but that trend seems to have waned!

The former Earley St Peter’s pupil didn’t start out so successful with his first acting role playing the fourth king in the school’s Year 6 nativity. He said: “Yes, that’s right, the famous fourth king who didn’t make it to see baby Jesus as he was busy helping Babushka!”

Not About Heroes will be at South Hill Park, Bracknell, from September 25 to September 27. To book, go to www.southhillpark.org.uk