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Interview with a survivor of the Voghera bombings (informant B)
The informant recollects his wartime memories in Voghera. Emphasises how bombings, strafing, and Pippo flying at night became part of everyday life and how the population tried to cope. Gives a vivid and detailed account of the August 1944 bombing,…
Interview with Celestino Chiesa
Celestino Chiesa remembers his wartime memories as a schoolboy in Pavia, while he was attending the Artigianelli boarding school: food shortages; rationing; Pippo bombing at night; machine-gun nests along the Ticino river; a friend joining the…
Interview with Carluccio Intropido
Carluccio Intropido recalls his early life as an orphan studying in Pavia at the Artigianelli, a boarding school providing technical training. He recalls that children used to watch aircraft en route to Milan, until Pavia was bombed owing to the…
Interview with a survivor of the Voghera bombings (informant C)
The informant recollects his wartime experiences in Voghera. Claims he has always had the gift of sensing impending events, the first episode being when he told his mother that aircraft are approaching before the siren had sounded, and therefore…
Interview with Luigi Cabrini
Luigi Cabrini describes his daily life in a rural community stressing the labour-intensive nature of farming in wartime. Mentions Pippo bombing at night, and reminisces a chequered schooling history in Pavia and Voghera owing to strafing, bombings…
Letter to George Shephard John's mother
Letter to George Shephard John's mother from Florence R Field. The letter informs Mrs Johns that George has arrived and reassures George's mother to not worry.
Interview with Delia Del Corto
Delia del Corto (b. 1932) remembers daily life in wartime Tuscany, living in a family of ten. Provides details on rural life, especially home bread making, and stresses the difficult coexistence with feared German troops. Mentions many anecdotes in…
Interview with Marisa Bianchi
Marisa Bianchi remembers her wartime years at Sesso, a rural hamlet in the Reggio Emilia province. Stresses the abundance of locally farmed food and emphasises how billeted German troops were friendly and supportive, even if she and her family had to…
Interview with Leonardo Gravina
Leonardo Gravina describes his early life in the rural district of the Puglia region, near the towns of Foggia and S. Giovanni Rotondo. Remembers seeing formations of aircraft taking off and landing from an airfield nearby. Speaks with affection of…
Interview with Arthur Hydes
Arthur Hydes grew up in Ingham and his family were closely involved with the life of the RAF camp during the war, watching the airfield being built and operations from there. He talks about the village before, during and after the war, including…
Letter from George Nixon to 'Little Anne'
![ENixonG[Recipient]A[Date]-010002.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/2246/40544/ENixonG[Recipient]A[Date]-010002.jpg "ENixonG[Recipient]A[Date]-010002.jpg")
Catches up with family matters and tells that all is well.
Letter from George Nixon to Ann
![ENixonG[Recipient]A[Date]-020001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/2246/40547/ENixonG[Recipient]A[Date]-020001.jpg "ENixonG[Recipient]A[Date]-020001.jpg")
Catches up with family matters, share news of relations and tells that all is well.
Postcard from George Shephard Johns
![EJohnsGSJohnsHJ-F[Date]-010001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1916/44172/EJohnsGSJohnsHJ-F[Date]-010001.jpg "EJohnsGSJohnsHJ-F[Date]-010001.jpg")
A postcard from George Shephard Johns sent to his mother and father, Harold Johns and Florence Shephard. In the postcard George thanks his parents for the card he received from them.
Letter sent by George Shephard Johns
A letter from George Shephard Johns sent to his mother and father, Harold Johns and Florence Shephard. George thanks his parents for their letter he received and lets them know he will be starting school and needs some books. He also tells his…
Letter to George Shephard Johns' grandfather
![EJohnsGSJohns[GFa]XX1012.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1916/44179/EJohnsGSJohns[GFa]XX1012.jpg "EJohnsGSJohns[GFa]XX1012.jpg")
A letter to George Shephard Johns' grandfather from George thanking him for his letter and post order. George says his mother was glad to see him.
Victory message from the King to all schoolchildren
![MCarterRH[DoB]-150629-080001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/126/1266/MCarterRH[DoB]-150629-080001.jpg "MCarterRH[DoB]-150629-080001.jpg")
Notes that children had shared hardship and should be proud of their effort. Signed 'George RI'. On the reverse 'Important War dates' with table of dates fro 1939-1945.
Celebratory letter from King George
Letter from King George to all school-children, celebrating and sharing the victory of the allied nations. It is headed with the Royal Standard, in colour. On the reverse a list of 60 important war dates.
Interview with Harold Beech. One
Harold Beech was born in Middle Rasen, Lincolnshire. He was six when war was declared and saw the construction of many airfields near his home. As a schoolboy he also watched aircraft being transported on the back of Queen Marys. A lodger with his…
Interview with Adriano Landini
Adriano Landini (b. 1930) recalls his childhood living in the poor Santa Croce neighbourhood in Reggio Emilia. Describes the profound sense of solidarity in wartime, stressing the community spirit among the so-called "popol giost" (the salt of the…
Interview with Marina Zucco
Marina Zucco recalls wartime memories in Monfalcone: how her father rented a flat conveniently located above a shelter, in which they remained for hours eating food they had brought from home; the day the ‘all clear’ sounded immediately before a…
Government evacuation scheme
A ministry of health pamphlet created for the parents of evacuated children. The pamphlet details the costs of the evacuation scheme and the government plan to set up an allowance to be paid each week by the parents of evacuated children. The…
The prisoner of war, Vol 3, No. 31, November 1944
Includes: editorial news; the food they like; the brighter side; the letters they write home; official reports from the camps; scenes from camp shows; notes on Oflag Va; how they help (fundraising at home); three men of the spearhead; examination…
The prisoner of war, Vol 2, No. 16, August 1943
Includes: editorial matters; music round the camps; official reports from the camps; (two pages missing); letters; how they help funds (fund raising at home); fun and games; news from the far east; parcel points; knitting pattern for 'waistcoat for…
The Prisoner of War, April 1945
The official journal of the Prisoners of War Department of the Red Cross and St John War Organisation. This edition covers the Editors comments, POWs released by the Russians, ex-Internees welcomed home, entertainment at the Camps, Escaped Prisoners…
Interview with Paola Giorgina Pasini
Paola Giorgina Pasini provides details of her early life in a family of agricultural workers and compares favourably their condition with those living in urban areas. Recalls the ominous sight of target indicators and flares, and remembers Pippo…