Research
New stories will appear at the top of this page.
Contributions to this page from Group members will be very warmly received. Any subject on a military theme.
Have you been doing some research into an aspect of military interest? Does it cover a number of pages which makes it too large to be submitted for inclusion in the Newsletter? This page is where group members can publish their research.
You might have carried out some detective work on an item you have acquired, or followed up an interest in a subject and would like to publish your findings. Group members can submit their work (text and images) as a file and make it available to others via a link on this page. Authors will have their work credited and it will remain their own, but otherwise you will be submitting it solely for the benefit of others to read and perhaps learn something.
Email your document via THIS LINK, in PDF format please, to me, Ted Gray, (if you can't save it as a PDF then send it as a Word document, I will do the rest). I will upload it and readers will then be able to download your story from a short description on the page.
Have a look at the variety of subjects submitted below. This might give you some idea of what can be done, but it does not have to be this long, it need not have images, or could be all images. It's up to you.
Was Dunkirk Necessary?
By David Gray: Would it have seriously altered the outcome of WWII if Britain had failed to evacuate her troops from Dunkirk? Would the course of the war have changed in 1940 if those British troops had not been rescued from the beaches? Document.
A Cigarette Case with a Story
By Simon Wilson: It’s just a cigarette case, made in Birmingham in 1921 and later repurposed for a presentation. A couple of years ago with the help of the internet, I did manage to unlock a story relating to the WWII inscription, though not one I was expecting. Document.
Children and National Savings
By David Gray: National Savings was an excellent way to get children involved with helping the war effort. Schools and parents encouraged children to start saving but sometimes these great efforts ended in tragedy through no one's fault. Document.
British - Soviet Relations in WWII
By David Gray: A fascinating look at the changing British attitudes, both of politicians and the press, towards Russia during WWII; and how easily loyalties were built up and knocked down according to how the wind blew at convenient moments in time. Document.
Resistance to Invasion in 1940
By David Gray: If the Germans had successfully invaded Britain, what would have happened to our empire? Nothing. There would have been no change. Would they have come across to liberate us? Of course not. In 1940 Britain STOOD ALONE. Document.
The British Empire and WWII
By David Gray: You might think that this is a bold statement; nevertheless, I believe it to be true: “Apart from Britain and its Empire, every other country that fought in WWII did so either to directly defend themselves from attack or to gain territory.” Document.
Death Comes to Wittering
By Simon Wilson: If I wrote a film script about a farmer who went to war in 1914, was decorated three times, met a King and became an air ace despite the loss of a leg, you would probably say it was a bit over the top. Well this is true! Document.
The Invasion of Iran in WWII
By David Gray: The Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran was the joint invasion by the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union in August 1941. This created a safe route for weapons to be delivered to Russia from Britain and the United States. Document.
The Takoradi Route in WWII
By David Gray: This is the story of a continent-wide road, the ‘Takoradi Route’, which was cut through the jungles and deserts of Africa, mainly by British servicemen that carried the weapons used by the Allies to fight the war in the Middle East. Document.
A Plaque for a WWII Submarine
By David Gray: This is the story of a purchase I made for my collection. It involves a plaque which was presented to an English town which had adopted a submarine and somehow this item had escaped onto the market allowing me to purchase it. Document.
George William Johnson MM, MBE
By Roger Negus: Roger says, 'I am always on the lookout for World War Two military heroes from Peterborough so it was nice to discover George William Johnson who was decorated for his bravery in action. A veteran of the assault on Pegasus Bridge.' Document.
A Prank of Fate from 1920
By Simon Wilson: Most of the aircraft in the early post-war period were ex-military, as were most of the pilots. After an exciting time in the war many of them wanted to carry on flying in various capacities. Some ended with tragic circumstances. Document.
One Patrol in Normandy
By Andrew Flindall: This article 'More Sources than Heinz...Just One Patrol in Normandy.' Warns us to be careful what we wish for during our research. Multiple sources often contradict each other. And how do you choose between conflicting accounts? Document:
Munitions Ship Explodes in 1917
By David Gray: This is the story of such a huge disaster that it is amazing that most people have never heard of it. The town of Halifax, Nova Scotia, suffered a terrible ordeal in December 1917 when nearly 2,000 people were killed and 8,000 were injured. Document.
HMS Benbow Voyage to the Breakers
By David Gray: This is the sad story of the end of a Battleship. A grand old lady who fought at Jutland and helped Britain to 'Rule the Waves' until finally being broken up in 1931. This article tells the story of her final trip to the breaker's yard at Rosyth. Document.
Leslie Howard, Actor and Patriot
By David Gray: On June 3rd 1943, the death of Leslie Howard was reported in the press. Howard, the film actor and director was among 17 people missing when a passenger plane was shot down by German aircraft on the way from Lisbon, Portugal, to Whitchurch, England. Document.
The Arsenal of Democracy
By David Gray: America called itself The Arsenal of Democracy at the beginning of the Second World War. This is the story of the U.S. Government’s struggle to get Lend Lease into law in the face of opposition; and what Britain supplied to America in return. Document.
Munich and the A.R.P. Panic in 1938
By David Gray: This period of international crisis in 1938, certainly in Britain, focused the minds of civic leaders and local authorities on the importance of getting their Air Raid Precautions (A.R.P.) arrangements up to the standard required in case an impending war broke out. Document.
Air War Over Britain August 1939
By David Gray: On August 8th 1939 Britain staged a ‘Great Air Battle’ over the country to test the black-out and also the response of Britain’s defences. Considering the war would start less than a month later, this might be seen as a bit late to carry out this exercise. Document.
The Wartime League and POSH in WWII
By David Gray: This is the story of football's Wartime League, set up to maintain the sport during WWII. Along with this I have added details of Peterborough United's struggles, some financial, during that period and their efforts to survive in those difficult times. Document.
Hand Drawn Posters from WWII
By David Gray: There were various competitions during WWII in which members of the public were encouraged to design posters which carried a government message. These are examples from my collection that show how creative people were. Document.
Wooden Aircraft Models of WWII
By David Gray: I recently bought a number of WWII aircraft model plans because I was interested in what people were doing in their spare time in WWII. This resulted in some research and I found a fascinating story. Modellers, please forgive any errors! Document.
The Spitfire Fund 1940
By David Gray: The Spitfire Fund began almost by accident in 1940. It was not organised by government, but rather was born from a spontaneous outpouring of donations from people at home and around the world for the building of aircraft for the RAF. Document.
A Royal Connection from Cardiff in WWII
By David Gray: Sometimes we end up with more than we expect when we collect books and other items. I recently bought a scrapbook dating from 1942 to 1943 that belonged to the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and had no idea it would contain some Royal Connections. Document.
Buried at Sea
Private Alfred Wells
By Roger Negus & David Gray: Roger has in his possession a WWI death plaque along with some related information to a man from Pinchbeck. Private Wells, 2nd Leicestershire Regiment, died on board the hospital ship VITA in 1916. This is what we have been able to find out. Document.
The Garfield Brothers in WWI
By Roger Negus: Roger has carried out research into of five brothers from Warmington, Roger's Great Uncles, who served during the First World War. One was killed in action and two were wounded. The story includes some great pictures. Document.
The Hospital Ship MAINE
By Simon Wilson: This story is about the Hospital Ship Maine, which was paid for through the fund-raising efforts of a group of American ladies. The ship carried soldiers who had been wounded during the Boer war and has a Peterborough connection. Document.
Removal of Railings Peterborough WWII
By David Gray: How the railings in Peterborough were removed for salvage during WWII. David has carried out a survey of numerous locations and added photographs showing where the evidence of removal still exists and can still be seen today. Document.
Discovery of WWII Civil Defence Post
By David Gray: A few years ago I came across a WWII 'shelter' on one of Peterborough's main roads which had previously been obscured by undergrowth. This is my research into what it was, and how I set out to try and get this rare building, Grade 2 Listed. Document.
RAF Peterborough (Westwood)
By Roger Negus: Local civilians identified as being employed at RAF Peterborough in September 1939 through research in the 1939 Register. Roger will be continuing this research and will be updating this story as and when he discovers more information. Document.
Peterborough's WWI Wireless Station
By David Gray: This is the story of Peterborough's long forgotten, mystery wireless station at Dogsthorpe. Its important contribution to the destruction of the Zeppelin menace in WWI, and how it helped with experiments in the atmosphere post war. Document.
Walter James Garfield
By Roger Negus: The story of a recipient of the Battle of Britain clasp - A tribute from his 1st cousin, once removed, who he never knew. Walter was captain of a Blenheim IV, Serial Number L9451, Code Number WR-V which failed to return from ops. Document.
Geoffrey Norman Rackley KIA 1944
By Roger Negus: The story of Pilot Officer Geoffrey Norman Rackley, who was killed in action on 22nd June 1944, when his Lancaster, ND986, PG-S, was shot down on a mission to attack a synthetic oil plant at Wesseling in Germany killing all seven crew. Document.
How Britain Paid for WWII
By David Gray: The story of how the British Government physically paid for all of the military hardware it ordered from British companies in WWII, when quite often they didn’t have the money anyway. This is the story of how Britain paid for its weapons. Document.
Horses for the War WWI
By David Gray: During WWI, Sexton, Grimwade and Beck's horse repository in Peterborough was used as a collection point for horses commandeered in the city for the army. This is the story of how it happened and what is still left to see of the stables. Document.
The Story of Gunner Harold Meadows
By David Gray: This is the sad story of a Peterborough man, Gunner Harold Meadows. Harold committed suicide in the city centre in the early hours of the morning in April 1916. No one knows why he killed himself. He is buried in Broadway Cemetery. Document.
The Scarborough Bombardment WWI
By Simon Wilson: This story is about the German naval bombardment in WWI of a number of towns on the east coast including Scarborough. Simon highlights one casualty, Mrs Emily Merryweather, who lost her life when her shop was hit. Document.
Tom Treliving - Bayonet Fighter
By David Gray: The story another Peterborough WWI soldier. Tom was ambushed by a group of German soldiers in a wood near Ypres, Belgium, on 7th November 1914. However, research led me down another 'rabbit hole' to things I had no idea about. Document
The Tragedy of HMS LST 420 in WWII
By David Gray. This is the story of Landing Ship Tank, LST 420, which sank during a storm off the Belgian coast with a tragic loss of life after being mined in November 1944. Two men from Peterborough, serving in the RAF, lost their lives during the sinking. Document
Lend Lease from Britain to Russia
By David Gray: This is a breakdown of all the war materials and weapons Britain provided Russia with in WWII through the Lend Lease agreement. Starting with an announcement by the Prime Minister and followed by a full schedule item by item. Document.
Potters Bar and HMS Poppy in WWII
By David Gray: This is the story of the Warship Week campaign in 1942, in which Potters Bar set a target of £120,000 to enable the government to buy the corvette, HMS Poppy. A wooden plaque was presented to the ship and this is now in my collection. Document.
Army Numbers in WWI
By David Gray: This article is the result of some research into my great uncles who were killed in WWI. I discovered that there were other soldiers with the same army number and this led me to investigate the numbering system, if that's what we could call it! Document.
Allied Intervention in North Russia 1919
By David Gray and Simon Wilson: This story concerns the Allied 'invasion' of North Russia in 1919 and the occupation of the port of Archangel. It is a complicated story, partly told here with reference to a government book published in 1920. Document.
The Paper Shortage in WWII
By David Gray: A story regarding the paper shortage in WWII that encapsulates the whole problem extremely well and highlights the issue of supply and demand which I thought I understood, but puts a different slant on the story. With an additional story about 'Mercury'! Document
Lost and Found - A Painting Returned
By David Gray: In 1992, two Peterborough (and PMHG) men, Roger Negus and David Gray, completed a journey which a British soldier had begun in 1916 and will forever link the Cambridgeshire City of Peterborough and the French town of Albert on the Somme, France. Document.
Spain Plays Both Sides in WWII
By David Gray: This article explains how Spain carried out its shady deals with both the Axis and Allied sides in WWII. Although neutral, Spain was by no means a silent partner and played both sides for profit. Each country trying to outdo the other. Document.
Suicide in Wartime - Hidden Stories
By Simon Wilson: History isn't just about big subjects like the movement of armies and the fall of Empires, it's also about the individual stories, and it is indisputable, when reading old newspapers, that suicide is part of the story for many people. Document.
Peterborough Palace War Hospital in WWI
By David Gray: The story of the Hospital set up at Peterborough Cathedral Bishop's Palace from October 1st 1918 to March 15th 1919. Link to Hospital Story, told with the help of the rediscovered Record Book. Link to Spreadsheet showing what is written in the book in simplified detail.
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