Postwar Years

TESTING CIVVY STREET AFTER 13 YEARS ARMY SERVICE IN WAR AND PEACE. CHAPTER 2

Three of the men in my Battalion, arrived the next day, which was 13 June 1940 at St valery in France and...

The sinking of the SS Gasray in April 1945

For a time, Mrs Joyce Atkinson, Diane's mother had problems being recognised by the authorities as...

To the memory of those who responded to the call of their country

Among the civic dignitaries who laid poppy wreaths at the Cenotaph were Councillor Norman Clarkson, the...

“Egremont’s most famous airman”: Squadron Leader Jack Blair DFC, DFM

According to this newspaper article Squadron Leader Jack Blair was originally from the village of Bigrigg,...

“We value everyone for their friendship, and for their Comradeship”

On Friday 25 November 2005, the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association held its 17th...

"How important is it to remember?"

On the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday 13 November 2005 I attended a commemorative service held at St...

Squadron Leader Jack Blair DFC DFM: his family’s story.

A few years later, shortly after the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War Two, a gentleman from the...

Dedication of the War Memorial at Cleator Moor, Cumbria, November 2005

It was conducted by the Free Church Minister, Reverend Nan Pryde, and also involved the Reverend Andy...

Gunner Harold Drake, RA, from Egremont, Cumbria, a Normandy Veteran.

On 14 June 1999, Harold Drake took part in a Normandy Veterans’ Association Memorial Service...

Guide to World War 2 Records: Introducation

This is a guide to the sources that can be used to study World War 2 at the Berkshire Record Office....

"Remember those who gave their lives in the cause of Peace"

On Friday 11 November 2005 the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association held a short...

People's War Contributions

When it came to subject matter I was luckier than most, perhaps, because my stories were already half...

Two West Cumbrian veterans of the 5th Battalion TA Border Regiment

Among those taking part in the Victory Parade were Mr John Lowrey and Mr Pat O'Brien, both from...

Victory Celebrations, 8th June 1946

I have no recollection or any written evidence to suggest that her Majesty Queen Salote of Tonga or indeed...

Protecting the Maritime Fleet during World War Two

In June Gordon travelled to Normandy with other World War Two veterans from West Cumbria for the 60th...

Egremont Royal British Legion honours the town’s ‘most famous airman’

While researching Jack Blair's story I asked a number of other researchers an World War Two veterans to...

Two WW2 veterans from West Cumbria still on parade

The article has been submitted on behalf of two World War Two veterans, John Lowrey and Bob McCormick from...

Louis Williams RASC from Whitehaven, Cumbria

Louis is from the Kells district of Whitehaven, Cumbria, a town on the West Cumbria coast. Louis attended...

Leo Smith from Great Clifton, Cumbria who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Leo Smith from Great Clifton, Cumbria who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. On 6 June...

"Wartime memories are sometimes poignant, sometimes happy."

On 6 June 2005, I attended a Memorial Service commemorating the Normandy Landings of June 1944 at St...

World War Two heroes on parade, sixty years later

Over 1000 World War Two veterans from all over Cumbria, the U.K. and from overseas took part in the...

London D-Day Event

10.15 D-Day, the 6th June 1944 Normandy Landings: Britain's Day of Decision Stephen Hart, Senior...

The Gallantry Medallists' League

Level II Distinguished Conduct Medal Conspicuous Gallantry Medal George Medal Conspicuous Gallantry Medal...

Aftermath

On the 23rd of August 1939 foreign minister Vyacheslav M. Molotov and Joachim von Ribbentrop signed a...

FRIENDS OF ARNHEM

League of German Maidens (Bund Deutscher Madel)

The League of German Maidens was the girls branch of the Hitler Youth... She attended local Party...