Harry, who was himself born and bred in Bradford, has taken a trip back in time in the city to find out more about his relatives' lives during World War Two, including his Uncle and namesake, Harry, who was killed in action in June 1944 - aged just 28-years-old. Just by delving back into Bradford's archives in Bradford Central Library, and by clicking onto the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, Harry has begun to piece together his family's wartime story.
 | | Bradford Library was the best place for Harry to start delving into the family during wartime |
Harry has even found where his Uncle was buried and a copy of a scroll commemorating his life. After making these discoveries, Harry says he's glad he took the time to discover something of his family's Second World War history: "I'm certainly going to go to my Uncle Harry' s grave in Caen [in Normandy, France] in the next few months!"
And now he says he has an appeal to make to anyone in West Yorkshire who'd also like to retrace the steps of their family members during wartime: "You've got a story to tell, I'm sure you have, and we want to hear of any experiences from the Second World War or from the end of the War."
Together with Community Service Volunteers (CSV), the BBC across the UK - including right here in West Yorkshire - is hoping to capture and preserve for future generations the story of the people in West Yorkshire - and across Britain - during the War.  | | Even old newspapers can contain information about your family's experience during WWII - as Harry Gration found out here |
This is a chance for people who lived through the war to leave a legacy to their children, grandchildren and beyond so that the sacrifices of the war can be better understood, after all the stories of millions of ordinary heroes - including so many from right here in West Yorkshire - remain untold and we need your help to get these stories onto the BBC People's War website before the archive closes at the end of this year.
We're recruiting a team of people to work on this project. Volunteer 'story gatherers' to help people to record their experiences, stories, memories and recollections for the website.
 | Who are we looking for? |
We're looking for anyone to get involved from individuals with an interest in World War II to school groups and local history societies, so anyone can get involved!
 | | From pilots to school pupils to priests, tell us your wartime stories... |
A story for the site can be just a photograph with a caption or a single anecdote about life at home, at school or in the services during the war years. Schools can get involved too, by adopting a veteran or looking at wartime history in their local area. There are lesson plans and activities for all ages on the site.
| What does it involve? |
If you decide to volunteer for the project, we'll match you up with people in West Yorkshire who have memories or stories of World War Two to tell and arrange for you both to meet up in a local library or Community Development Centre.
You'll then take down the story, either typing it directly onto the People's war website or recording it to transcribe later. This will all be done at a place and time to suit you both!
And don't worry, you don't need any special skills to get going!
Ideally we'd like people with an interest in World War II and a knowledge of the People's War website. However, we do provide training for all volunteers.
If you can give us some of your time over the next couple of months to gather stories and recollections to put onto the site, contact BBC Interaction on 0845 300 98 98 or e-mail [email protected] and we'll send you some more details!
| More about People's War |
Until the end of 2005, the BBC is continuing to collect the stories and memories of thousands of veterans and their families from West Yorkshire and across the UK to include them in a lasting archive for future generations. It means that people who lived through the Second World War can help better understand the sacrifices of 1939-1945.
 | | Britain went to war with Germany on September 3rd, 1939 |
Unlike any other war before or since, World War Two was fought as much by those working in West Yorkshire's factories and living through the Blitz in London, as it was by the armed forces of land, air and sea. We think these stories should now be told - and we all know these heroes because they're our mums and dads, aunties and uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers. From Bevin Boys and Land Girls to RAF Pilots and the men of the Merchant Navy, these ordinary people have found themselves taking part in extraordinary events.
Whether it's your own story, or a story that's been passed down through the generations of your family, we'd love to hear about it!
| How can we add our story? |
This People's War archive has been open for over a year now, however it will close to entries at the end of this year.
Local organisations such as museums, libraries and learning centres have joined up with the project to provide online access and help you put the stories on the People's War website.
To find out where your nearest centre is, call the BBC People's War line on 0845 3004475, alternatively, you can log onto the website and input your story directly. | Have YOUR say! |
How was your area of West Yorkshire affected during World War Two? Do you have any stories that have been passed down through your family? Share your stories from Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale using the form below. | 
