Tag: Second World War

The Tragedy of Lidice – A talk at the Potteries Museum

In June 1942, the small Czech village of Lidice, 12 miles from Prague, was destroyed. Its inhabitants were murdered or deported, and the village was wiped off the map.

The atrocity was a reprisal for a top-secret operation code-named “Operation Anthropoid,” to kill Reinhard Heydrich, a high-level Nazi official who planned the Holocaust, which murdered at least 6 million people.

On 9th June, the day of Heydrich’s state funeral in Berlin, Hitler ordered retaliatory measures against the Czech population. That very evening, German police and SS officials surrounded Lidice. Their behaviour was caught on film. The atrocities they committed caused an international outcry that strengthened the resolve of Great Britain and the United States to destroy Nazi Germany.

On Friday, 5 September, Dr Kate Vigurs, a Second World War Historian, will give a talk at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery telling the story of Lidice from Operation Anthropoid to 2025, revealing its special relationship with Stoke-on-Trent.

Her talk starts at 7.00 pm and ends at 9.00 pm. The bar opens at 6,00 pm. Tickets cost £12.

Telephone 01782 232323 or email museumevents@stoke.gov.uk to book your ticket.

Can You Help Trace a War Hero’s Relatives?

An appeal has been launched to find the relatives of Stoke-on-Trent’s Second World War hero, Lance Sergeant John Baskeyfield.

John, who came from Burslem, was killed during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. During the battle, he single-handedly manned two anti-tank guns and refused to leave his post. For his remarkable courage, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

As part of Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary Celebrations, the city council is planning to commemorate John’s bravery.

Councillor Lyn Sharpe, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, said: “Our city is proud of Lance Sergeant John Baskeyfield. His bravery will never be forgotten in Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.

“We hope any relatives can be found so they can be part of the special events we are holding this year in his memory.”

The events in November are expected to include an expanded exhibition in the Spitfire Gallery at the Potteries Museum. Additionally, there will be an act of Remembrance at John’s memorial in Festival Park.

If you are one of John’s relatives or can help trace them, email sot100@stoke.gov.uk

Victory from Home: How we Helped Win the War

The Second World War ended eighty years ago in 1945. Victory from Home: How we Helped Win the War is an exhibition at Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Brampton Museum.

The exhibition examines life on the home front. It highlights the vital role that those who stayed at home played in helping the Allies win the war. The exhibition closes on 16 September.

Admission to the museum and the exhibition is free.

Victory from home

A Date for Your Diary

Victory From Home, How We Helped Win The War is a new exhibition at Newcastle’s Brampton Museum. The exhibition in the Spotlight Gallery marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 1945. It explores the contributions local people made to the Allies’ victory over the Axis powers. The exhibition remains open until September 16th. Admission is free.

Women’s contribution to the war effort

Women from North Staffordshire were “called up” for military service or war work during the Second World War. Some served in the armed forces. Others built Spitfires at Castle Bromwich or worked in munitions factories at Swynnerton and Radway Green.

To read about women’s contribution to the war effort, click “Women Work and War” below.

Women, Work and War