Share your memories of North Norfolk in WW2

Date published: 10th March 2020

Memories of life on the Home Front in North Norfolk during World War Two are being sought ahead of the 75^th anniversaries of VE (Victory in Europe) and VJ (Victory over Japan) days on Friday, May 8 and Monday, August 10 respectively.

This year also marks the 80^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, when the Royal Air Force successfully defended our skies from relentless assault by the Luftwaffe.

North Norfolk District Councillor John Toye is heading the search for memories of life in our area as Britain fought in the conflict which raged in Europe and across the world between 1939 and 1945.

Life for the soldiers fighting in the Armed Forces changed forever – but life back in Norfolk changed dramatically too, with evacuees escaping the Blitz to live in homes in our area, women working in industries previously staffed by the men who were now at war, the formation of the land army to grow vital food supplies and the Home Guard patrolling our shores as Norfolk and the nation braced themselves for the very real possibility of invasion by the Axis powers.

If you have memories, pictures or anecdotes from life in North Norfolk during those unforgettable times, or if you are planning any events to commemorate the anniversaries of the Battle of Britain, VE Day or VJ Day, your council would like to hear from you.

Cllr. John Toye said: “As Armed Forces champion working with the council’s Community Support Team, we are trying to gather information about what was going on in North Norfolk around the time of these events. Additionally, we are talking to all groups and organisations that are taking part in these celebrations to try to assist where we can and help others with their planning and finding sources of funding.

“We would like to find out what went on in your towns/villages/parishes during the war while the men and women from the village were away. Who took over the doing of their work? Did the land army work on the farms, did you have buildings that provided billets for service personnel or used as convalescent homes, or for POWs? Were there boat owners that took part in the D-Day landings, was there land that was used as an airfield?  

“We would like grassroots stories that have come from those who were left behind or passed it on to the next generation. Our aim is to put these on a map of the parishes in North Norfolk.”

How to share your memories with us:

Send them via e-mail to:

supporting.communities@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Post them to:

Sharon Garth
Supporting Communities
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
NR27 9EN.