u3a - Battle of Britain and the Blitz

Do you or your friends and family have a story to share?

In the Autumn 2020 edition of Third Age Matters, Trust Volunteer Carole Chapman (Portsdown U3A) described work with the Imperial War Museum to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and to make interesting digital resources on the topic available to older people who might otherwise have limited access to them.

In response to this article, several U3A members wrote in with fascinating stories about their recollections – or those of relatives – of the events of 1940-1941. It quickly became clear that there was a wealth of information out there that deserved preservation and a wider audience.

We hope that U3A members from across the UK will be inspired to contribute experiences to this collection of material.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING:

Do you have memories of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz?

Is there a family history that has been preserved, perhaps in documents or photographs?

If so, and you would like to share this, please either fill out our online form or contact Trust Volunteer Carole Chapman

We will publish a selection of the stories and experiences below. This page will be updated on an ongoing basis as we receive members’ stories.

Alison May, Head of Member Services, says “I have had the privilege of reading some fascinating accounts of people’s experiences. I have been struck by how people accepted this awful time and how they carried on in extreme circumstances. I am sure this will resonate with members who may have lived through this time, or been told about it by people who did. I hope you find these accounts as interesting and insightful as I have, and are motivated to contribute your experiences."