Publications
2005 saw the sixtieth anniversary of the end of WWII and in tune with the general national commemorations, Bramley History Society mounted an exhibition at the Bramley Fête. A great deal of work was done by committee members, gathering memories, and copying newspaper and official publications, to preserve details of those people left at home to cope with shortages, restrictions and the dangers of the Blitz and later bombings while the younger men went away to fight.
It seemed a waste of effort that all this work should be just stored away in the archives, and so the idea of this book was born.
If ever there was a civilians’ war, this was it.
The rise of air power since World War I brought, not just news of death and destruction, but the actualities right into our village. This book attempts to give a picture of civilian life in Bramley during and after World War II. ‘The Home Front’ was a Government slogan.
Inevitably, with over 80 people interviewed, it has been possible only to use extracts in this book, but all the full transcripts of peoples’ memories are stored in the Bramley History Society archives.
There are many books about World War II that run from 1939 to 1945, but this book is only partly chronological. It starts with the outbreak of war, and ends with the peace, but in between memories are generally given under subject matter, and so overlap.
Memories are fallible, and we have received varying versions of events. Wherever possible, checks have been made with official records.
If ever there was a civilians’ war, this was it.
The rise of air power since World War I brought, not just news of death and destruction, but the actualities right into our village. This book attempts to give a picture of civilian life in Bramley during and after World War II. ‘The Home Front’ was a Government slogan.
Inevitably, with over 80 people interviewed, it has been possible only to use extracts in this book, but all the full transcripts of peoples’ memories are stored in the Bramley History Society archives.
There are many books about World War II that run from 1939 to 1945, but this book is only partly chronological. It starts with the outbreak of war, and ends with the peace, but in between memories are generally given under subject matter, and so overlap.
Memories are fallible, and we have received varying versions of events. Wherever possible, checks have been made with official records.