Snapshots Historical - Talks, Publications and Genealogy

03/11/2021

Very pleased to be delivering the first ‘in person’ talk since March 2020 and to be back at Droylsden Library.

Droylsden Lively Minds will be welcoming historian Owen Powell on Wednesday 3rd November 10am - 11.30am. Owen will be looking at the British Soldier of WW1 and WW2 and what changed for them over time, including equipment to rations and training to tactics. There are now a few places available due to cancellations. Event is free but booking required, book here www.tamesidelibraries.eventbrite.co.uk
or call us on 0161 342 2031

08/06/2021

Glad to be doing another talk for Weaverham History Society this evening, albeit via Zoom.

23/05/2020

OBJECT OF THE WEEK

Deactivated WW2 Sten Mk.II (Second Pattern). The Sten was first produced in 1941 as an emergency wartime expedient at a time when the situation for Britain was particularly grim. Millions of Sten guns were made during the war and were used by the armed forces of Britain, the dominions and empire, parachuted into occupied countries to supply resistance movements and on the home front, came to equip 40% of the Home Guard in its more established stages. As WW2 drew to a close and the allies advanced into N**i Germany, Hitler’s factories even began to make a very close copy of their own in a desperate attempt to arm the boys and old men of the Volkstrum.

16/05/2020

OBJECT OF THE WEEK

WW2 Childs ‘Mickey Mouse’ Gas Mask. Another object on the WW2 Home Front theme. These were issued to young children and were brightly coloured so as to try to make a game out of wearing it. There are also more straps than there are on the mask for older children and adults, with a clip that fastens at the back to make it more difficult for the wearer to remove. Thankfully, no poisoned gas was dropped during WW2 so the masks were never used other than in drills. As with all WW2 British gas masks, these should never be worn as most of the filters contain asbestos.

07/05/2020

OBJECT OF THE WEEK

WWII Stirrup Pump. Thousands of these were issued to ARP Wardens and Fire Watchers for dealing with German incendiary bombs. After VE Day, many found their way into garden sheds for other purposes. Some are still knocking around in the back of the odd garden shed and garage today.

30/04/2020

OBJECT OF THE WEEK

1917 dated Trench Periscope made by R & J Beck. As well as being used by British officers to look over trench parapets, they were also carried in British tanks.

22/04/2020

OBJECT OF THE WEEK

Original WW1 German M16 Pattern steel helmet shell. By 1916 most armies had introduced a steel helmet for their troops. These were to provide some protection from falling or flying debris and some small shrapnel fragments. They were not bullet proof as the thickness required would have made them unwearable. However, the two protruding lugs on the front of this helmet were for the fitting of a bulletproof armoured plate and due to the weight issue used in static positions such as for sentry duty.

13/04/2020

OBJECT OF THE WEEK

This small china urn was made during the 2nd Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). With the image of “A gentleman in Khaki” on one side and a verse from Kipling’s “The Absent Minded Beggar” on the other. Chinaware like this as well as cups and plates were highly popular during that time and still easily found today.

05/04/2020

OBJECT OF THE WEEK

First World War Turkish Ma**er Bayonet. This was probably brought back as a war trophy by a British Soldier, quite possibly from the campaign in Mesopotamia, but could also have been from Gallipoli, Palestine or Egypt.

03/04/2020

Understandably with the current closure of museums and libraries due to COVID-19, a number of planned talks have been cancelled, or postponed. Details are as follows:

1). 'Snapshots From The Boer War' - Savick Library, 6th April (Cancelled - new date TBC).

2). 'The Story of D-Day' - Weaver Hall Museum, 29th April (Cancelled - new date TBC).

3). 'The Story of the Home Guard' - Weaverham History Society, 9th June (Postponed to 8th June 2021).

There were also three WW2 talks in the pipeline for Cheshire West and Chester Library Service in May, which should be progressed for later in the year once the libraries have re-opened.