WW2: SOME STORIES

WW2: THE RETURNED SERVICEMEN & THE HOME FRONT: SOME STORIES

[Under construction]

THIS WILL BE A MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTION OF STORIES ABOUT THE RETURNED SERVICEMEN AND LIFE AT HOME [THE HOME FRONT].   SADLY, MANY OF OUR CORRESPONDENTS HAVE PASSED AWAY BUT THEIR STORIES REMAIN WITH US. NEW CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MOST WELCOME.

God bless you all. This is your victory!

 It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land. In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best. Everyone has tried. Neither the long years, nor the dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, have in any way weakened the independent resolve of the British nation. God bless you all.

Winston Churchill, Whitehall London, 8 May 1945

   

Above: Evenwood & Ramshaw History Society’s VE Day banner & a good luck charm – it’s George Simpson’s teddy which accompanied him on his missions.  He’s lying on the silk map of Europe which all air crew had in their emergency packs.  Although, his Lancaster bomber crash landed, it was in neutral Sweden and days from the end of the war in Europe.  George was injured but safe.  Teddy had done his job!  Read about George below.

And a couple of VE DAY 75 stones which have started to appear throughout Evenwood & Ramshaw – thank you


The Home Front

“Memories of the Home Guard” by the late Raymond Gibson

Cockfield Home Guard 1943: photograph

R.O.F. Aycliffe & Aycliffe Angels by the late Nancy Horsman [nee Brown]

“My World War Two Reminiscences” by the late Doris Kay [nee Vickers]

“I was the youngest Aycliffe Angel” by Eric Welsh

“Women’s Land Army” by the late Peggy Fuller [nee Carrick]

“My time in the Women’s Land Army” by the late Edna Thompson

Auxiliary Territorial Service [ATS] by Peggy Hicks and Hilda Bell

More of Peggy Hicks’ photos

“My Story as an Evacuee” by Helen Smith

“A London boy in Butterknowle” by the late Jim Atkinson

WARTIME EXPERIENCE AS AN EVACUEE ON COCKFIELD FELL 1939-1945 by Heather Harrison [nee Daniel]

“My Second World War Reminiscences” by the late Nancy Bell

“Memories of a Little Girl” by Jean Green [nee Watson]

“Bananas” by the late Ken Hamilton

The Durham Territorials, 20 & 21 May 1940

Flight Sergeant George W. SIMPSON awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal

“Prince”

A Trip to Poland & a Mystery Letter

Civilian Deaths

Ena Gowland interviewed by Emma Lowson

“My Childhood Memories” by Ena Gowland [nee Stephenson]

1944 Bacon and Eggs by Ena Gowland [nee Stephenson] & Eric Stephenson

Ena Gowland & Willi Maass: an update

ENA GOWLAND & WILLI MAASS: UPDATE 2

WILLI MAASS’ STORY IN CONTEXT WITH THE NATIONAL SITUATION

GERMAN POWs

Air Raid on Ramshaw by the late Bernard Hannon

German Bombers Overhead by Ena Gowland [nee Stephenson]

Corporal Matt CLENNELL RAFVR

Gunner Fred LAVERICK RA

Able Seaman Bob HESELTINE RN

Leading Aircraftsman Russell PLACE RAFVR

Rifleman Joe BRUNSKILL

Leading Aircraftman THOMAS McCUTCHEON

Private George McCUTCHEON

Marine Ronnie HEAVISIDE

The Arctic Convoys: In Remembrance

The Battle for Norway – April/June 1940

The Battle of the Atlantic: Enigma

Faith

Private George WALTON POW

THE GAUNLESS VALLEY THOSE WHO DIED IN THE SOUTH EAST ASIA THEATRE OF WAR

Cpl. COX Robert

Gunner Leonard Allen ARMIGER POW

Private Jacky BARKER POW

Gunner Lawrence Price DANIEL POW

Thomas Kirkup JEFFERSON POW

CSM Thomas FENWICK POW

Sergeant William COATES

Corporal George Henry SMILES

Thomas William SMILES POW

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