World War 2
Oral histories are collected and preserved by Northumberland Archives. They record the voices and memories of people who lived in Northumberland, including during the Second World War. The experiences of being evacuated and of living under the threat of bombings are described by people who lived through them. Diaries, leaflets and photographs from the archives also appear in this topic
Below are a series of learning resources created from documents held at Northumberland Archives. They include suggested activities from a range of subjects including STEM, arts and humanities.
Resources are available to download in Word and PDF format.
Documents
Bombing of Blyth Information Pamphlet
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Includes information for Air Raid Precaution wardens about poison gases, air raid sirens and bomb shelters.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Pictures of air raid precautions taken by the Cozens family.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art & Design, Fashion, Textiles
Bombing of Blyth Oral Histories – Bernard F
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
In this recording from 2006, Bernard talks about bomb damage in Blyth and the losses faced by the Merchant Navy.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art
Bombing of Blyth Oral Histories – Belle S
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
In this recording from 2007, Belle talks about air raid attacks and defences in Blyth during the First and Second World War.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art
Bombing of Blyth Oral Histories – John & Joan H
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
In this recording from 2006, John and Joan talk about their experience of the bombing of Blyth during the Second World War.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art, Design Technology
Bombing of Blyth Oral Histories – Maureen H
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
In this recording from 2007, Maureen talks about the memories of her parents, and stories that they told her about wartime Blyth.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography
Bombing of Blyth Oral Histories – Ralph D
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
In this recording from 2008, Ralph talks about rationing and his experience of the bombing of Blyth during the Second World War.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Maths, Art
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
List of air raids that stopped work at Woodhorn Colliery.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Maths, Art
Diary of Ann Helen Farina August/September 1939
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
The diary of an 11-year-old girl who was evacuated from Gosforth to Keswick.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Music
Christmas 1941 Diary – Ann Helen Farina
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
A Christmas during wartime in Gosforth. The diary of a 13-year-old girl celebrating with her family.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Music, Cookery, Art
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Kenneth Grant, from High Heaton, was evacuated to Morpeth and then Lowther Castle, Penrith.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art
Timetable of activities for children in a hostel
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Plans from Berwick for evacuees who didn’t have a host family.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Art, Design Technology, Dance, Cookery
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
The transcript of this log book records how a school prepared to receive children from another part of the county.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art
Evacuation Oral Histories – Doris Y
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Doris was evacuated from Jarrow to Ponteland as a child. In this 2008 recording, she talks about her memories.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Maths, IT, Geography, Art
Evacuation Oral Histories – Gordon B
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Gordon was evacuated from Willington Quay, twice. In this 2008 recording, he talks about his childhood memories.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Maths, IT, Geography, Art
Evacuation Oral Histories – Stan R
Suggested age groups: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Stan was evacuated from London to Cambridgeshire and Bedlington. This is a 2008 recording of his memories.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Maths, IT, Geography, Dance
Die Zeit Am Tyne Newspaper, March 1948
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Newspaper produced by German prisoners of war at Featherstone Camp.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, German, Art
Oral History of Rudi Kuhnbaum, Former Prisoner of War, 2008
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
In this recording from 2008, Rudi talks about his experience of being a German prisoner of war held at Wylam Camp.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art
Photographs of Rudi Kuhnbaum, Former Prisoner of War, 2008
Suggested age groups: KS2, KS3, KS4, Lifelong Learners
Photographs taken by Rudi Kuhnbaum while held as a prisoner of war at Wylam Camp.
Subject areas: History, Literacy, Geography, Art
Additional Resource
One of Northumberland’s Few: Squadron Leader George Dudley Craig, OBE
This virtual exhibition looks at the life and military career of Squadron Leader George Dudley Craig, OBE.
He was held as a prisoner of war from 1941-1945 at various POW camps. Dudley was involved in a number of POW escape attempts, including The Great Escape on 24th March 1944.