Collection description:
Spinning Yarns oral history collection - alphabetically archived - was created through a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to record the memories of the people of Bridport and the surrounding areas. The Spinning Yarns website contains a small number of audio clips and edited transcripts from the collection.

Recordings relating to World War II:
250 (Life histories which include references to wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Evacuees • British Army • Royal Navy • POWs (in German/Italian camps) • WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) • WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service) • ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) • Women's Land Army • Canadian Armed Forces • American Armed Forces • Italian POWs (in Allied camps) • Italian Home Front

Format of recordings:
Audio - all or some with transcripts
Video - no transcripts

Access:
Recordings can be accessed at the Museums local History Centre Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm. Selective recordings are also available in the museums multi-media gallery. Prior booking is advisable and no charges apply at this time.

Related products:
'Dorset at War' Education packs for Key stage 2 - soon to be reviewed on our website (uploading on the 25th of March) which will be available to order from the Coach House or purchased from the museum shop. The Packs include teachers worksheets, activity sheets and a DVD with interactive activities.

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Collection description:
The Cornwall Record Office holds a small number of oral history recordings, some of which refer to wartime experiences in Cornwall and other areas of the UK.

Recordings relating to World War II: 
4 (Life histories which include references to wartime experiences)

Format of recordings:
Audio

Access:
Contact the Cornwall Record Office for details.

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Collection description:
The Dorset History Centre collection includes the Dorset Sound Archive. This contains a large number of recordings relating to the experiences of local people during the Second World War, and those of people stationed in the area during this time. Of particular note are the large number of recordings of American veterans, many concerning experiences of D Day. For detailed information on the collection, see the A2A site.

Recordings relating to World War II: 
126 (Includes recordings solely focused on wartime experiences and life histories which include references to wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Evacuees • British Army (Northern Europe) • British Army (Burma / India) • Royal Navy • Royal Air Force • POWs (in German/Italian camps) • WRNS • ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) • Women's Land Army • Canadian Armed Forces • American Armed Forces • Holocaust related • Home Guard • Medical Services / VADs • Dutch Resistance

Format of recordings:
Audio - all or some with transcripts

Access:
Please contact the History Centre for details.

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Collection description:
The Fairford History Society Oral History Group have been recording the recollections of local people since 2004. Many of the recordings relate to the history of Fairford, and this includes recollections of wartime incidents and the RAF base. There are two main recordings which concentrate on wartime memories, namely  June Lewis-Jones (Fairford at War) and Tony Rogers who served in the Polish Army. He was captured by the Russians in 1939 and sent to a labour camp in Siberia.  He was imprisoned for two years and was released in 1941 and escaped from Russia via Tehran, Bombay, Capetown, Sierra Leone and finally reached Liverpool in 1942.  He went on to join the Polish Airforce and flew many times into Germany. His experiences are captured vividly on the recording. There are other recordings that include WW11 comments.  These are by Betty Cook (CD18/19),  Peter Egerton, Phil and Liz Hope (CD23) and AGM2005(CD2). The Society website includes excerpts of some of these recordings in MP3 format.

Recordings relating to World War II: 
6 (Includes recordings solely focused on wartime experiences and life histories which include references to wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Polish Armed Forces

Format of recordings:
Audio

Access:
Please contact the Society for details. Their recordings can be purchased for £3 per CD.

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Collection description:
The purpose of the collection was to recognise and celebrate the work of the women who worked in the Land Army in Cornwall during World War II. To do this we wished to interview and record the memories of those still remaining alive, no matter where they lived now. A Heritage Lottery Grant was obtained in order to facilitate the bringing together of the women, or the travelling necessary to interview as many as possible. An initial questionnaire was devised, following an extensive notification through magazines and newspapers -- calling all Land Army girls who had worked in Cornwall. Something over 100 women, their partners, and their carers replied, and approximately 80 written replies were achieved. Tea parties were held in 4 locations around the county and transport was arranged. Interviews were held either at the tea party for those who could attend, or in their private homes or care homes if that was more feasible. The interviewers were a retired teacher and a retired journalist, and approximately half of the respondents were individually interviewed on tape. Within the project as a whole, a film was also commissioned and made, and CDs in quantity developed. This film received an award in the Cornish Film Festival and is part of our archive. The final event was a rally for the Land Army and their families at a local theme park which has a major section (a street scene and shops, etc.) devoted to Cornwall in war-time. This was attended by more than 200 people and was a huge success. School children were involved in musical skits representing the women at work on the farms and in the timber camps.

Recordings relating to World War II: 
DVD (1), 20 tapes of interviews (Recordings are solely focused on wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Women's Land Army

Access:
By writing for appointment and visiting our premises. Personal information will not be revealed (addresses, etc.) as privacy is guaranteed and expected. There is no charge for listening to the tapes.

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Collection description:
The Jersey War Tunnels audio-visual collection constitutes approximately 100 individual recordings on audio cassette and VHS tapes. The recordings have been gathered since 2000, originally for the key purpose of incorporating into interpretive displays, but since then on an ongoing basis towards upholding our core mission to preserve, record and present the story of Jersey's Occupation by German Forces 1940-1945. Beyond oral testimony, Jersey War Tunnels holds an Occupation-specific collection that includes items that relate to the civilian experience of the Occupation, both in terms of three dimensional objects and paperwork, a military collection that include weapons, uniforms, insignia and documentation, and a large photographic collection. Free access to collections, (both physical and through the Adlib database) archives and our Occupation library is available through the Research Centre. We continue to expand the collection largely through local donations, but on occassion with small purchases.

Recordings relating to World War II:
100 (Recordings are solely focused on wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Evacuees • British Army (Northern Europe) • Royal Air Force (Fighter Command) • Holocaust related • German Armed Forces • German POWs (in Allied camps)  
The largest majority of interviews relate to the civilian experience of the German Occupation. This includes Island residents, deportees, evacuees and forced labour brought to the island.

Access:
Free access to the archive is granted through the Jersey War Tunnels Research Centre, via the Adlib database. Only minimal prior notice is required to avoid double booking time. Charges only apply to photocopying/printing and the use of collections-based material in publications.

Additional notes: 
The particular strenghts of the collection lie in the depth, range and detail in which the civilian experience of the German Occupation is covered. This relates to both historical events and themes that run through the retrospective analysis of the period.

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Collection description:
This Museum holds the following:
North Devon At War: about 30 tapes of people talking about the domestic front, the Yeomanry and the Devon Regiment. There are some accompanying small books.
Brannams, Barnstaple pottery manufacturer: The oral history material covers the Brannams factory-workers and the current Director were interviewed. A book was published by the Museum.
Litchdon Street Remembered (book published 2006): The interviews remain as part of the Museum archive for research and interest.
Shapland and Petter, Barnstaple furniture manufacturer: Part of a wider project to record the archives of this large local manufacturer. A book, Shapland and Petter of Barnstaple An Oral History, was published by the Museum, 64pp, 2005. The interviews are part of the Museum archive for research and interest.

Recordings relating to World War II:
30 plus probably mentions within the other tapes. (Includes recordings solely focused on wartime experiences and life histories which include references to wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front

Access:
Contact the Museum for details.

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Collection description:
The oral archive collection has 22 ex-Great Western Railway mens recordings of life on the railways from the 1930's onwards. They relate to Newton Abbot and the the GWR as a whole. There are references to the War in 14 recordings.

This includes references to the bombing of Newton Abbot station (GWR 001, GWR 003, GWR 006, GWR 007, GWR 018); how the railway was used during Dunkirk (GWR 003); bombing of the centre of Bristol & Bristol raids (GWR 004, GWR 020); Rationing (GWR 005); Promotion during war time (006); First driver for Montgomery's Staff train (006); Major intake because of war (GWR 010); Female signalman - Margery Yeoman because of War (013); VE day - detonators on line to celebrate (013); RAF plane crashed into locomotive and pilot killed (GWR 020).

The purpose of the collection is to capture the GWR mens memories before they disappear. The museum runs an GWR mens club, called The Museum Link. 60 ex-GWR men attend, some have already been recorded and it is are intention to continue to build on the collection. The museum aslo intends to increase the oral recordings of the local communities memories of the town and its area in all aspects.

Recordings relating to World War II:
14 (Life histories with references to wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Experiences of Great Western Railway employees

Access:
Researchers are welcome, prior notice is required. Museum opening times Mon-Thurs.10:00-4:00 Fridays: 10:00-12:00 (Saturdays transcripts/summaries could be made available, from 2:00-4:00 -after Easter, prior noticed required). Researchers can hear audio and read transcripts (still being transcribed in some cases) original summaries available for each recording. Donations welcomed for those wishing to publish the information, plus credit the museum collections. Copies of recordings can be negotiated.

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Collection description:
Main collections are -
Exmoor Oral History Project. General reminiscences including a large amount of information on life on Exmoor during World War Two (ref. NDRO.B723) - also held at Somerset Record Office
Ilfracombe Oral History Project. General reminiscences including some World War Two information (ref. NDRO.B692)
Winkleigh Oral History Project. General reminiscences including some World War Two information (ref. NDRO.B769)

Recordings relating to World War II:
3 main collections including about 30 individual recordings (Life histories which include references to wartime experiences) 

Subjects covered:
Home Front

Access:
Recordings may be consulted for private study, educational use, etc subject to prevailing copyright regulations. Some are in compact disk format, others on minidisk. Prior notice is advisable.

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Collection description:
Oral History Archive: World War II (ACC 3265/PCC/71)
The recordings and transcriptions were brought together for the 'People's Plymouth' exhibition at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. Interviews with Plymouth residents covering the Plymouth Blitz, Anderson shelters and air raids. Destruction of houses and experience of living in a lorry. Women in the ATS. Working as a nurse. Training as a Royal Marine. Role of Air Wardens. Fire service. Land Girls based in Penzance. VE Day. Accounts of everyday life, rationing, school, black market food, weddings, American boyfriends, entertainment, transport.

Recordings relating to World War II:
18 (Life histories which include references to wartime experiences) 

Subjects covered:
Home Front • WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service) • ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) • Women's Land Army • Royal Marines

Access:
Public access to transcripts and recordings online will be available in time. No restrictions or prior notice. Contact the Records Office for more information.

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Collection description:
Chronologically archived material, mainly from cassette tape, now digitised.

Collection description:
Main collections include:  
Somerset Voices Oral History Archive (Ref no: A\CMQ)
The archive is a unique collection of over 500 recordings of 20th century Somerset life. Summaries of a number of interviews, and audio clips can be found at: www.somersetvoices.org.uk/  

Exmoor Oral History Archive (Ref no: A\BJS)
The Exmoor Oral History Archive was produced as part of a Dulverton and District Civic Society project to capture for posterity life in this rural community at the turn of the 20th century. The collection contains the life stories of 78 contributors, and covers both the North Devon and West Somerset sides of the national park. Further details can be found at:
www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/exmoor

Oral History Recordings (Ref no: DD\OH)
Recordings of interviews with local people from various groups and projects in Somerset.

Recordings relating to World War II:
Approx 100 (Life histories which include references to wartime experiences). Many of the Somerset Voices and Exmoor recordings describe life during the War.  The other oral history recordings cover a huge range of subjects, and include some life history interviews, but many do not mention the War.  

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Evacuees • British Army • Royal Air Force • Royal Navy • Womens Land Army • Italian POW (in Allied camps) • Intelligence Services 
For additional details for each recording, use the online catalogue at www.somerset.gov.uk/archives, putting the relevant collection reference in the "RefNo" field.  Records can search by subject or keywords. 

Access:
Copies of all of these recordings are held at the Somerset Record Office. They may be consulted for private study, educational use, etc., subject to copyright restrictions. We strongly advise making an appointment before visiting; details of the appointment system, reader's ticket system and opening times can be found at www.somerset.gov.uk/archives.  

The recordings that form the Somerset Voices archive can also be consulted at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury, together with their transcripts.  The Museum's contact details are:

Somerset Rural Life Museum 
Abbey Farm 
Chilkwell Street  
Glastonbury  
Somerset  
BA6 8DB  
Tel: 01458 831197  
Email: county-museums@somerset.gov.uk 

The Exmoor Oral History Archive recordings can also be consulted at the North Devon Record Office, Barnstaple (with summaries and supporting information), and at the Guildhall Heritage Centre in Dulverton.  The Centre's contact details are: 

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Collection description:
The collection comprises two seperate sets of research. One undertaken by the museum and one undertaken by a local woman, Jean Bruce (the latter is still underway). All recordings are of local people reminiscing about their childhood in the Stroud District during the war. They are mainly held on minidisc, with a few on cassette tape. Reference numbers: 2003.29, 2005.28-30.

Recordings relating to World War II:
70 (Recordings are solely focused on wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Evacuees • Wartime childhood in Stroud area

Access:
The recordings may be accessed at the museum, subject to advance booking. There is no charge for use.

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Collection description:
Since the 1990's the importance of recording the recollections of older residents has been recognised. Tape recordings were originally made using rather unsatisfactory equipment, so the results are of varying quality. At present the recordings are made on mini disk and copied onto cassette. Since 2008 the mini disk is now copied on to C.D. Roms. At present we have recorded over 150 tapes and about 35 of these concern reminiscences of World War II. As Teignmouth was so badly bombed during the War these are particularly important for their value as a historical record.

Recordings relating to World War II: 
35 (Includes recordings solely focused on wartime experiences and life histories which include references to wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Evacuees • American Armed Forces

Access:
Prior notice required as special arrangements have to be made to access and listen to the tapes. We do not charge for this service, but donations are always most welcome. We are a voluntary run charity.

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Collection description:
Oral history tapes, about 200, collected in the 1980's. The tapes were made to gather the reminescences of Totnes in the 1900's. This included many people's wartime experiences in the town.

Recordings relating to World War II:
Approx 150-200 (Life histories which include references to wartime experiences) 

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Merchant Navy

Access:
Access is via the Study Centre, no prior notice is required. A charge of £1.25 an hour is made to use the Centre or membership of the Museum Society (£8 a year) allows free use of the centre.

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Collection description:
We have undertaken 11 full interviews on World War II and around 12 other interviews with a significant amounts of World War II information.

Of the 11 WWII interviews there are 6 featuring wartime childhoods in Yate (5) and Old Sodbury. The 5 other recordings cover the following subjects: life in Frampton Cotterill and work in Newmans Motors in Yate; life in Frampton and working in Parnalls Aircraft; life in Yate as a housewife; life in in Yate and working in Newmans Motors; life as a landgirl near Yate.

Of the others, 4 feature childhood memories linked to toys and games; 3 feature schooldays during the War; 2 others feature working at Newmans; 1 features general childhood in Yate; 2 feature working at Parnalls (husband and wife).

Recordings relating to World War II: 
23 (Includes recordings solely focused on wartime experiences and life histories which include references to wartime experiences)

Subjects covered:
Home Front • Women's Land Army • Wartime childhood • Factory work

Access:
The restrictions are ours. The interviewees have given us copyright to use the interviews in a responsible manner. Some interviews have formed part of compilation CDs while others have been used on to promote the work of the Centre and in research.

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