Box in World War 2
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This is not the story of war or the horrors of conflict. Instead it is the history of the lives of people in Box during the years 1939 to 1945. It is a dramatic story, the militarisation of every aspect of normal life and the centralisation of decision-making away from local authority.
The war came after a period in the 1920s and 30s of heightened awareness of traditional English culture with the recording of ancient folk dance, songs and customs. We have never returned to such idealism and those old customs have now substantially disappeared. Right: People everywhere were in uniform (courtesy Ken Oatley) |
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Yet there was much about the period which seems antiquated to us today. Imagine sending carrier pigeon to relay messages to France, or families gathering around the wireless to hear updates from news bulletins totally controlled by central government. Our modern technology makes this impossible to imagine.
For many people the period 1939 to 1945 is not history but part of their experience of life. When this generation has gone, so will their knowledge of events. Please help us record memories of wartime Box for the sake of future generations in the belief that this dreadful waste of people, economic resource and decent humanity should not be forgotten. Your comments, corrections and additions are greatly appreciated.
For many people the period 1939 to 1945 is not history but part of their experience of life. When this generation has gone, so will their knowledge of events. Please help us record memories of wartime Box for the sake of future generations in the belief that this dreadful waste of people, economic resource and decent humanity should not be forgotten. Your comments, corrections and additions are greatly appreciated.
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List of Articles, Author and Issue Number
Outbreak of War to December 1939: Lead up to War Alan Payne 19 Memories of WW2 Peter Harrington 19 Military Village Alan Payne 19 War Declared in Box Clive Banks & Sally Hicks 19 Servicemen & Women Tributes Alan Payne 19 Timeline 1939 - 1945 Alan Payne 19 Protecting Residents 1940: Evacuee Children Alan Payne 20 In Service at Home Alan Payne 20 Home Guard Various 20 Home Guard Names Graham Eyles 20 Dunkirk Evacuation Alan Payne 20 Life in Box Alan Payne 20 Invasion Threats 1941 - 42: Invasion Threat Alan Payne 21 Air Raids Alan Payne 21 Bath Blitz 1942 Eric Callaway 21 Royal Visits Alan Payne 21 Children in War Les Dancey 21 Wartime People Bill Cooper 21 |
List of Articles, Author and Issue Number
Ending the War 1943 -45: Box in 1943 Alan Payne 22 Nameless Places Alan Payne 22 D-Day 1944 Alan Payne 22 Peace Alan Payne 22 After the War Alan Payne 22 Epitaph John Durnford 22 General WW2 Scrapbook Bill Cooper 16 Monica Southard Rachel Keegan 24 Aircrew Lost 1943 Various 25 Final Resting Place Christopher Overton 25 Dennis Moss Christopher Moss 20 Sherman Tank Disaster Colin G Maggs 27 Wartime Memories Bill Cooper 28 VE Day 1945 Alan Payne 28 VE Day Remembered 2020 Alan Payne 29 Land Girl Remembers Alice Jackson 30 Rudloe WW2 Remains Michael Rumsey 31 VE Day Celebrations in 2025 Various 48 |