The Home Guard always had something a little absurd about it. Made up mostly of men too old or unfit to serve in the regular armed forces, it trained with inadequate equipment for an invasion that never happened. It was only a matter of time before it became comedy material, and Dad’s Army was the long-running show that did it. Set in a fictional coastal town, and led by the … [Read more...] about Great British Telly: Dad’s Army – A World War II Comedy Classic
World War II History
Lancaster flypast pays 80th anniversary tribute to Dambusters
The only remaining airworthy Lancaster bomber in the UK took to the skies on Tuesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid. The plane, one of only two Lancasters still in operation, flew over former air bases in Lincolnshire on the anniversary of the mission to attack German dams on 1943. Part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), plane PA474 took … [Read more...] about Lancaster flypast pays 80th anniversary tribute to Dambusters
New plastic-free ‘planet-friendly’ poppy partly made from discarded coffee cups
A new “environmentally friendly” poppy partly made from used coffee cups will be released for this year’s Remembrance Day. The historic symbol will be plastic-free and made of recyclable paper for the first time since it was introduced 102 years ago. The redesign took three years to develop with the help of experts at University College London, the Royal British Legion … [Read more...] about New plastic-free ‘planet-friendly’ poppy partly made from discarded coffee cups
Sir Michael Caine’s 90th birthday celebrated with new image from upcoming film
A new image of Sir Michael Caine starring in his latest project, The Great Escaper, has been released to celebrate his 90th birthday. Two-time Oscar winner Sir Michael stars alongside Glenda Jackson in the forthcoming movie, which is based on the true story of a Second World War veteran who escapes from his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in … [Read more...] about Sir Michael Caine’s 90th birthday celebrated with new image from upcoming film
King and Queen Consort light candles to remember horrors of the Holocaust
The King and Queen Consort have lit candles at Buckingham Palace to remember those who suffered “such horrors” during the Holocaust. On Friday morning, Charles and Camilla met with Dr. Martin Stern, who was taken to Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War as a young boy. They lit two candles in remembrance of victims of genocide to mark Holocaust Memorial … [Read more...] about King and Queen Consort light candles to remember horrors of the Holocaust
Holocaust survivors to feature in new photography exhibition in Manchester
Photographs of survivors of the Nazi genocide of Jews have gone on display in a new exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Manchester. Generations: Portraits Of Holocaust Survivors, brings together more than 60 contemporary portraits of Holocaust survivors and their families, including photos taken by Catherine, Princess of Wales, a keen photographer and patron of the … [Read more...] about Holocaust survivors to feature in new photography exhibition in Manchester
The Queen Mary in Long Beach to re-open for tours this month after critical restoration work completed
Good news, British maritime fans! The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, is finally re-opening after its pandemic closure, then continued closure to allow emergency conservation work to be done. The hotel will also be reopening soon (along with the pub and restaurants). They will first be starting up with free guided tours for the general public. These tours are already … [Read more...] about The Queen Mary in Long Beach to re-open for tours this month after critical restoration work completed
Last Dambuster George ‘Johnny’ Johnson dies at age 101
The last surviving Dambuster has died at the age of 101.George Leonard “Johnny” Johnson was the last surviving original member of RAF 617 Squadron’s famous “Dambusters” raid of 1943. He died peacefully at his care home in Westbury on Trym, Bristol, on Wednesday night surrounded by his family, a source told PA. Squadron Leader George Leonard ‘Johnny’ Johnson was made an MBE … [Read more...] about Last Dambuster George ‘Johnny’ Johnson dies at age 101
Second World War veteran receives two medals day after 100th birthday
A Second World War veteran who celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday has been presented with two medals for his service in the Netherlands.Peter Colthup served in the Glider Pilot Regiment and took part in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands in September 1944. On Friday, the day after his 100th birthday, he was surprised with the Dutch Liberation Medal and the … [Read more...] about Second World War veteran receives two medals day after 100th birthday
Naval officer ‘solves town’s urban legend about submarine wreck’
A Royal Navy officer believes he could have solved an urban legend which has intrigued a town for nearly a century. Since the 1930s, residents of Dartmouth – home to naval officer training for more than 150 years – have been convinced that the wreck of a submarine is buried under a coastal park. Lieutenant Tom Kemp, an officer from Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), … [Read more...] about Naval officer ‘solves town’s urban legend about submarine wreck’
Remains of RAF airmen who died during WW2 buried during ceremonies
A number of ceremonies have taken place commemorating the sacrifices of Royal Air Force (RAF) airmen who died during the Second World War. A number of full military burial services, organized by the Ministry of Defence, laid to rest several men at Jonkerbos War Cemetery in the Netherlands this week. Among them was Flight Sergeant William Robert Stephen Hurrell, whose … [Read more...] about Remains of RAF airmen who died during WW2 buried during ceremonies
Kindertransport memorial unveiled at port in Essex that helped save thousands of children
A memorial has been unveiled in the UK port town that was the main point of entry for most of the 10,000 children who were rescued from Nazi Europe on the Kindertransport. The bronze statue, in Harwich, Essex, depicts five children descending from a ship’s gangplank. It was sculpted by artist Ian Wolter, with inscriptions of quotes from child refugees and space between … [Read more...] about Kindertransport memorial unveiled at port in Essex that helped save thousands of children
Lesley Manville among stars returning for series two of World On Fire at it Begins filming
Lesley Manville and Jonah Hauer-King are among the stars returning for the second series of the hit BBC drama World On Fire. The new six-part series will follow the second year of the Second World War through the eyes of ordinary people from Britain, France, Germany and North Africa. Manville, who will reprise her role as Robina, said: “It’s wonderful to be bringing Peter … [Read more...] about Lesley Manville among stars returning for series two of World On Fire at it Begins filming
City of Long Beach Issues Update on the Queen Mary Restoration
The City of Long Beach in California, issued an update last Friday on the current status of the aging Queen Mary, permanently moored in Long Beach Harbor. Access to the ship for the public has been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and there was a lot of behind-the-scenes drama as it was taken back into full ownership and control by the city of Lond … [Read more...] about City of Long Beach Issues Update on the Queen Mary Restoration
Operation Mincemeat is the ultimate dad movie for spring 2022 (other than Top Gun: Maverick)
It appears that spring/summer of 2022 will be the season of the Dad film, and that’s all right (I’m a dad after all). While Top Gun: Maverick will be sucking the oxygen out of the film world later this month, this month we also got a perfectly lovable World War II film in the guise of Operation Mincemeat. And it’s very much worth watching if a little long and slow. For those … [Read more...] about Operation Mincemeat is the ultimate dad movie for spring 2022 (other than Top Gun: Maverick)
New stamps pay tribute to women’s contributions during Second World War
A new set of stamps is being issued in tribute to women’s vital contributions during the Second World War. The main set of 10 stamps illustrates the huge range of work women undertook during the war years. Included is a rare photograph showing female codebreakers working at Bletchley, where they operated the complex cryptographic machinery. A further four stamps, … [Read more...] about New stamps pay tribute to women’s contributions during Second World War
Stars pay tribute to Dame Vera Lynn during Westminster thanksgiving service
Katherine Jenkins, Alan Titchmarsh, and Jonathan Dimbleby were among those who paid tribute to Dame Vera Lynn at a thanksgiving service in London to celebrate the life and work of the wartime singer. The service was held at Westminster Abbey on Monday with members of her family, friends from the world of music, representatives from charities she supported, and members of the … [Read more...] about Stars pay tribute to Dame Vera Lynn during Westminster thanksgiving service
RAF aerial photographs show Second World War camp in parkland – Belhus Park in Thurrock
A Second World War military camp where troops prepared for the D-Day invasion is shown in RAF aerial photographs, as historians share their research into an Essex heritage site. Historic England has analyzed more than 300 photographs of the changing landscape at the Grade II-registered Belhus Park in Thurrock from 1929 to the present day and has now published some of … [Read more...] about RAF aerial photographs show Second World War camp in parkland – Belhus Park in Thurrock
Seven holocaust survivors feature in paintings commissioned by Prince Charles
The Prince of Wales has hailed seven portraits of some of the nation’s last remaining Holocaust survivors as a “powerful testament” to their lived experience. Charles commissioned the paintings of the elderly men and women to stand as a lasting reminder of the horrors of the Nazi regime, and was left moved after meeting one sitter who showed the prince her concentration camp … [Read more...] about Seven holocaust survivors feature in paintings commissioned by Prince Charles
Collection of Spitfires to go on display at former base RAF Duxford
A dozen Spitfires are to go on display at the place where the first operational squadron of the planes flew from. The Spitfire, with its elliptical wings and powerful Rolls Royce engine, is famous for its role in the Battle of Britain in 1940. The 12 aircraft, of varying marks, will go on show at IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire as part of the museum’s exhibition – Spitfire: … [Read more...] about Collection of Spitfires to go on display at former base RAF Duxford
Operation Pied Piper – A story with music about British Evacuees
Greetings everyone, and apologies for the silence. Let's just say moving house has been the least tumultuous thing of the last few months! I hope everyone is well (or as well as can be, given the circumstances). As a little gift for you this festive season, I want to tell you about a lovely 3-part podcast by a good (virtual) friend, Ron Gletherow. Ron and I met through the … [Read more...] about Operation Pied Piper – A story with music about British Evacuees
Bells from sunk warships go on display in Portsmouth 80 years after tragedy
Bells retrieved from two Royal Navy warships sunk during the Second World War have gone on display to mark the 80th anniversary of the death of the 842 sailors on board. HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were both attacked and sunk by aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 10, 1941, just days after Pearl Harbour. The sinking of the two ships is considered one of … [Read more...] about Bells from sunk warships go on display in Portsmouth 80 years after tragedy
Bletchley Park codebreaker awarded France’s highest honour
One of the last surviving Bletchley Park Second World War Wren codebreakers has been presented with France’s highest honor. Lorna Cockayne was given the Legion d’honneur by the highest ranking female officer in the Royal Navy, Commodore Judith “Jude” Terry, at a presentation ceremony held in Ferndown, Dorset. The 96-year-old from Mudeford, Christchurch, was trained to use the … [Read more...] about Bletchley Park codebreaker awarded France’s highest honour
Stoke-on-Trent’s historic Spitfire unveiled in £5.4m gallery after three-year restoration
A Spitfire donated to Stoke-on-Trent by the RAF in 1972 is set to go back on public display in a new glass-fronted £5.4 million gallery as an “anything’s possible” symbol of hope. The aircraft’s official unveiling in a 3,800 sq ft extension to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery on Wednesday, being attended by the great-nephew of the Spitfire’s designer Reginald Mitchell, … [Read more...] about Stoke-on-Trent’s historic Spitfire unveiled in £5.4m gallery after three-year restoration
Pair of ‘Spitfires of the seas’ arrive to be centerpiece of new exhibition at Royal Navy’s Museum in Gosport
A pair of historic naval boats nicknamed “Spitfires of the seas” have been painstakingly moved into position for a new exhibition. The boats, coastal motor boat CMB331 and motor torpedo boat MTB71, arrived at the National Museum of the Royal Navy’s (NMRN) Explosion Museum in Gosport, Hampshire, after being brought 100 miles by road from Yeovilton, Somerset, where they have … [Read more...] about Pair of ‘Spitfires of the seas’ arrive to be centerpiece of new exhibition at Royal Navy’s Museum in Gosport
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