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 stories.
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. Your story does not have to be this long, it need not have images, or could be all images. It's up to you.
New Story
The Tipton Catastrophe
By David Gray. The Tipton Catastrophe or Dudley Port explosion was a 1922 munitions explosion in the South Staffordshire town of Tipton, in which 19 teenaged girls, working in an unlicensed and unsafe factory, died. Document.
The Black Market in WWII
By David Gray: A story from the pages of the “Sunday Pictorial” published in 1941. It shows a typical case of black-market criminality where someone was taking advantage of the shortages in wartime Britain and was caught. Document.
Alaska Siberia Air Road
By David Gray. From 1942 to 1945, over 8,000 aircraft such as the Bell P-63 Kingcobra, were ferried from the U.S. to the U.S.S.R. through Canada via the Alaska-Siberia Air Road, under the Lend Lease agreement. This is that story. Document.
Death Ray - 1939 A Possibility?
By David Gray. In 1939, prior to the start of WWII, Professor A. M. Low wrote about the possibility of a death ray being invented which could be used to knock enemy aircraft out of the sky. This is his opinion on the reality. Document.
Okinawa - 82 Days of Slaughter
By David Gray: The Battle of Okinawa was finally won on Friday, June 22nd 1945. With the war in Europe over since May 8th 1945, the American G.I.’s in the Pacific theatre were already beginning to think they had been forgotten. Document.
The Duke of Bedford WWII
By David Gray: The 12th Duke of Bedford, Hastings Russell, was controversial during WWII due to his extreme pacifist stance, pro-German sympathies, and involvement in unsanctioned peace negotiations with the Nazis. Document.
The Story of Six Submarines + 1
By David Gray: A look at the roles of six Royal Navy submarines (plus 1), in a snapshot published in a newspaper on February 23rd, 1941. We don't hear so much about the actions carried out by the Royal Navy's submarines. Document.
The Brits who Died at the Alamo
By David Gray: Most people have heard of the Battle of the Alamo. A small group of Texian defenders, ultimately defeated by the larger Mexican army. But did you know that twenty-five of the defenders were British? Document.
Crime in Peterborough WWII
By David Gray: This is the story of crime in Peterborough during the WWII. Necessities such as the blackout and rationing created an environment where, shortages and opportunity put people in conflict with the law. Document.
Timeline to a Japanese War
By David Gray: A series of news stories charting the path to war with Japan in 1941. They are articles taken from newspapers published at the time the tragedy was unfolding. Together they describe the journey into the abyss. Document.
True Heroes of the Blitz
By David Gray: I have already written an article on this subject but focused on women in the blitz. In an effort to redress the balance, I have now written the story looking (mainly), at the bravery of the men. But also, children. Document
Stamps and WWII
By David Gray: Having previously uploaded a story to the Research page about collecting medals in past years, I thought it only reasonable to do the same for stamps. This story comes from a report published in March 1943. Document.
True Heroines of the Blitz
By David Gray: Looking through old newspapers from WWII, I have found numerous stories telling of the bravery of women while the bombs were falling. It seems right to record some here so that their deeds are not forgotten. Document.
The Silver War Badge
By Simon Wilson: The Silver War Badge was first issued in September 1916 to address a need amongst the growing numbers of servicemen who had served in the Forces and, for a variety of reasons, found themselves back in civilian life. Document.
Defecting Aircraft of WWII
By David Gray: A look at pilots who decided to defect to the enemy in their aircraft. These are mostly Axis pilots but there was one notorious Allied pilot who defected to the Germans with his aircraft and was later convicted. Document.
Twenty Minute Project - WWI
By Simon Wilson: In a box of papers, I found a postcard of a Norfolk Regiment soldier with a note on the back. Thinking it would take about twenty minutes to put a story to the picture, I turned the computer on. Nothing is that simple. Document.
They Also Serve - WWI
By Simon Wilson: The story of the Blake family, and how a key, bought from a medal dealer in Devon seventy years after events, became the catalyst for Simon Wilson to carry out further research into this family of heroes. Document.
The Isle of Man Internee Riot- WWII
By David Gray: In September 1941, 200 internees celebrated in a concert hall, this provided cover for an escape attempt by three men. They were soon captured, and this prompted a riot at Peveril Internment Camp. Document.
Peterborough Home Guard Notebook
By David Gray: Quite recently I had the good fortune to come across a couple of Peterborough related Home Guard items on eBay. This is the story of those items and Peterborough Home Guard, and the research that I carried out. Document
The Farrar Boys
By Simon Wilson: The story of the Farrar boys from Chatteris. A Colonel who was in the Jameson Raid in 1896, two Captains, one with a DSO and (both mentioned in dispatches), one KIA at Aubers Ridge, and a mining engineer. Document
Aircraft Design Failures of WWII
By David Gray: This article looks at a few aircraft designs, some of which made it into service, some with serious faults that didn’t. They were covered in cuttings in scrapbooks at the time and show how they were viewed in WWII. Document.
St Paul's Memorial Peterborough WWI
By David Gray: The memorial cross outside St. Paul's Church Peterborough, was probably the first of its kind to be erected after WWI. This is the story of the work that has gone into researching the names on the memorial for its refurbishment. Document.
Prisoner of War Exchange 1941
By David Gray: In early October 1941, the British and German Governments, through the International Committee of the Red Cross, set out to arrange the exchange of hundreds of wounded prisoners of war. This is the story. Document.
A Peterborough Wartime Christmas
By David Gray: Here we take a look at how Christmas was celebrated in Peterborough during the First World War. Looking through the articles published in the ‘Peterborough Advertiser’ newspaper during those years. Document.
The Biggest Blitz of the Year 1941
By David Gray: German raiders returned in force to London on the night of 19th/20th March 1941. This is the story of that raid, how London dealt with the terror handed out by the Luftwaffe, and in particular, how the hospitals coped. Document.
Peterborough and the Armistice
By David Gray: This article looks at the news that filtered into the city in 1918 regarding the terms of the armistice and the stories told by returned prisoners of war who had finally come home from that seemingly ‘endless’ war. Document.
A Questionable Christmas Truce
By David Gray: A vivid account, or a tall tale? Given by Corporal Jordan, a Peterborough boy serving in the 3rd Rifle Brigade, who spoke at the Barrass Memorial Hall Institute, Peterborough, on Thursday 18th February 1915. Document.
The Central Station Air Disaster 1941
By David Gray: On August 27, 1941, a collision occurred over Blackpool, involving a Boulton Paul Defiant fighter and a Blackburn Botha. The accident resulted in the deaths of 18 people, including civilians and crew members. Document.
Animals in WWII
By David Gray: This is a look through scrapbooks compiled during WWII by people who loved animals. These stories and pictures tell of the bravery of the animals and their owners. We also look at the ‘Pet Massacre’ of 1939. Document.
The National Reserve 1910-1918
By Simon Wilson: the National Reserve was a register of trained men who had previously served in the British Army and were available for recall in case of national emergency. Their badges were the only “uniform” they had. Document.
Old Medals - Thoughts from 1904
By David Gray: This is an article published in 1904 I found it loose in a book and it is dated 2/11/04. It is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of medal collectors and dealers in those times. If you are interested in medals, I am sure you will really enjoy this. Document.
London Buses in the Blitz
By David Gray: Browsing through some Second World War scrapbooks recently I noticed how many pictures there were of London, double-decker buses, in various stages of destruction from the effects of bombing raids during the ‘Blitz’.Document.
Deserters in WWII
By David Gray: During WWII, U.S. and British servicemen deserted to make money, stealing and selling the military supplies their comrades needed to survive. Allied deserters ran the black-market economies of Naples, Rome and Paris. Document.
Attock Fort
By David Gray: Inspired by a bronze plaque in Glasgow Cathedral which commemorates the men of The Cameronians, and their wives and children, who died during a tour of duty in India and later South Africa, between 1895 and 1912. Document.
Waterloo Teeth
By Simon Wilson: It was a marketing master-stroke (after Waterloo). Suddenly, the general run of nondescript teeth was transformed into Waterloo Teeth. You could smile into your shaving mirror and the teeth of heroes would smile back. Document.
Radar - A War Winning Invention
By David Gray: Radar was entirely a British achievement, it provided a precise method of detecting objects up to 400 miles away. It was adapted to many different purposes, and has changed methods of war on land, at sea and in the air. Document.
The Loughborough Carillon
By Simon Wilson: The Carillon tower houses not only the bells, but a military museum, and plaques bearing the names of the 478 men from the town who died in the Great War. Further plaques have been added with names from later wars. Document.
Peterborough Rotary in WWII
By David Gray: A fascinating insight into the efforts of the Peterborough Rotary Club’s contribution to the war effort. Most of the information comes from a ‘Minute Book’, in which the meetings of the Club were recorded from 1942 to 1948. Document.
Nettles - Unlikely Munition of War
By Simon Wilson: At Donington, reported the Spalding Guardian (17 July 1942) Mrs Taylor (W.I. President) thanked all concerned in collecting 37lbs of nettles, including the scouts, who contributed 10lbs of leaves already stripped from the stalks. Document.
The First Year - Germany 1946
By David Gray: Hostilities in Europe ended with the surrender of the Germans at Rheims. Victory had been achieved but the ultimate aim of the Allies; the establishment of a democratic and peaceful Germany was far from accomplished by 1946. Document.
Camouflage Face Paint
By David Gray: Making every individual ‘camo up’ on a daily basis actually started as a post Vietnam reform. Not just in Vietnam but in past conflicts US Soldiers and Marines practiced horrible wartime camouflage practices (this is true to this day). Document.
The Peterborough Riot 1914
By David Gray: Two weeks ago I wrote about Sir Richard Winfrey's role as Mayor in the Peterborough riot. To complete the story, this article deals with those who took part in the riot and their subsequent appearances before the courts. Document.
Fire Watching and the Blitz
By David Gray: I recently bought a scrapbook compiled in 1941 during WWII. It contained a number of leaflets and cuttings, a lot of them relating to Fire Watching and the Blitz. I have included those and also references to Peterborough. Document.
Gas Warfare in 1918
By David Gray: From the August 1914 edition of ‘Gas Warfare Monthly Summary of Information No. 14’, printed in France by the British Army Printing and Stationery Services, issued by the General Staff for official use only not to be taken beyond Brigade Headquarters. Document.
The Vegetable that Won the War
By Simon Wilson: In 1914 we imported 66% of our food. In April 1917, despite the limited capabilities of Great War U-Boats, we were reduced to six week's supply of wheat. We weren't any better in 1939, with 70% of our food coming from abroad. Document.
Sir Richard Winfrey Mayor 1914
By David Gray: Sir Richard Winfrey was Mayor of Peterborough in 1914 when WWI broke out. This is the story of Sir Richard’s activities during WWI. These details are fascinating and cover aspects of the war that we very rarely hear about. Document.
Women of Britain in WWII
By David Gray: This is the story of how the Women of Britain made their contribution to the Forces and the Home Front during the WWII. This includes the process of how women were called-up to the Forces or ‘Directed’ to war work. Document.
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.