Coronavirus Pandemic Pictures

You may recall that in April I included a request from the Heritage Centre for History Groups to start collecting information and photographs relating to the Coronavirus Pandemic.  These records would display how we responded and lived through the crisis to future generations.  A member of our group, David Woods, has taken some excellent photos of the crisis and I have included some of them below.  

VJ Day

On Saturday, it was 75 years since the Japanese surrender and the end of the Second World War.  It is wonderful that we commemorate these occasions and long may it continue!  The following link has 11 photos depicting some of the celebrations.  You can feel the release of the anguish of six years of war in the smiles!  Please select the following link:  

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/11-photos-of-vj-day-celebrations

The Case of Silas Chapman - 7th July 1856

Colin recently became aware of this bigamy case and thought it would be of interest to the group.  Here is the Old Bailey article:

https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18560707-675&div=t18560707-675&terms=Norwich#highlight

Unlocking The Archive - Discover Historic Books

Colin has sent the below link below to share with you.  This site will enable you to discover how historic books were made, the ideas they contained and who owned them many centuries ago.  The introductory film is steered towards children but don’t be misled by this because there is plenty for adults to learn from this site. 

Select Choose a Library to Unlock and then select one of the three libraries, and the books within those libraries.  Just select and have fun exploring the books available. 

https://discoverhistoricbooks.unlockingthearchive.co.uk/

Seven Artworks Of The Battle Of Britain

Here are some paintings of the battle depicting the trails in the sky and portraits of pilots.  My favourite is An Aerial Battle which provides the stark contrast between everyday Britain and the battle raging overhead.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/7-artworks-of-the-battle-of-britain

Ten Inspiring Stories of the Battle Of Britain

In this article you will learn of the real life stories of those that lived and fought in the battle.  It includes the wonderful story of how three women of the Women’s Auxiliary Airforce (WAAF) won Military Medals.  Note they were awarded military medals and not airforce medals.  There is also the story of how Pilot Officer Bill Millington saved a village and other wonderful stories of bravery during the battle.

Please note you can click on See Object Record to obtain more information on the artefact.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/10-inspiring-stories-of-bravery-during-the-battle-of-britain

Eight Things You Need to Know About The Battle Of Britain

This is an interesting article of the key points of the battle for those that are not familiar with this.  In particular the article outlines the wonderful air defence network Britain had.  Radar would act as the early detection of enemy aircraft formations, information on incoming raids was passed to Fighter Command Headquarters and once the direction of the raid was clearly established, the information was sent to the relevant Fighter Group’s headquarters and from there it was sent to the Sector Stations, which would ‘scramble’ fighters into action.  The operations rooms also directed other elements of the defence network, including anti-aircraft guns, searchlights and barrage balloons. 

We can get it right sometimes!

Please note you can click on See Object Record to obtain more information on the artefact.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-battle-of-britain