A World War remembered

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A World War remembered - Fairlynch Museum

By: Michael Downes
Added: 23 January 2012

Tanks in town: a recruiting drive in Oundle Market Place on the eve of World War Two

The approaching centenary of the outbreak of World War One is certain to see many books, films, and exhibitions commemorating the events of 1914-18.

With the year 2014 in mind, Fairlynch press officer Michael Downes will give the fourth of the Museum's Winter Talks on how he researched, wrote and published his book Oundle's War, an account of how people associated with the picturesque Northamptonshire town coped with the traumatic events between 1939 and 1945.

"The project started with a community newspaper that I was involved with," explained the retired school teacher who moved to Budleigh Salterton just over three years ago. "We decided to commemorate the arrival of American airmen in the county back in 1941 and produced an eight-page supplement for the newspaper."

The edition was so popular and so many fascinating stories were unearthed that publishing a book became inevitable. The result four years later was a 321-page hardback which was launched in time for Remembrance Day 1995 and sold out within six weeks. More than £8,000 was donated to the Royal British Legion as a result, and a reprint appeared in 2008.

A team of 20 pupils from local schools helped with the research, interviewing veterans who included survivors of the midget submarine attack on the German battleship Tirpitz and a naval officer who played a key role in Operation 'Mincemeat', the successful plan to deceive Hitler into thinking that an Allied invasion would come from southern Europe. Others interviewed for the book included US servicemen as well as former PoWs and even pacifists.

"The talk should be of interest to schools as well as people keen on military history," said Michael. "The book was a thoroughly absorbing project, but it was pretty hard work as I rashly decided to publish it myself. Whether we'll see a book about Budleigh's Great War remains to be seen."

A World War remembered' will take place in the Peter Hall, next to St Peter's Church in Budleigh Salterton on Monday 6 February 2012 at 7.30 pm. Doors open and refreshments from 7.00 pm. Admission £2 (£3 for non-members).