War and Weaponry Collection

We have a large collection of World War One letters in our War and Weaponry Collection.

The letters are addressed to a Miss Mackintosh, who was involved in an initiative in the war to send food parcels to British prisoners from low income families held in Germany. The letters are written by both the prisoners themselves and by the parents of the men being held. They include careful lists of parcel contents, a recipe, a piece of music called "War Prayer", some photographs, and a booklet about Lancastrian Pottery.

The full collection is stored in our archive room. All the letters are scanned and the scans can be made available to view on request.

These World War Two Identity Cards are part of our War and Weaponry Collection.

Identity cards were introduced during the War under the National Registration Act 1939. Everyone, including children, had to carry an identity (ID) card at all times to show who they were and where they lived. Identification was necessary if families got separated from one another or their house was bombed, and if people were injured or killed. Inside the identity card was the owner's name and address, including changes of address. People had to carry identity cards where ever they went until seven years after the end of the war in 1952.

This world War Two Girls Training Corps 5 Year Long Service Enamel Badge is part of our War and Weaponry Collection.

The first Girls Training Corps units were formed in 1941. The GTC's purpose, as with other cadet organisations at the time, was to prepare young people for service to their community and to support in the war effort upon reaching adulthood. For the Girls Training Corps this meant training in military drill in preparation for potentially serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. The GTC was open to girls aged 14 to 20, and its motto was "To serve and Train for Service".

Activities included learning to act as bicycle couriers, learning morse code, aircraft recognition, gymnastics, homemaking, craft-work, public affairs, land navigation, learning first aid, marksmanship, firefighting, and assisting with air warden duties. During the war and after GTC companies and members were active in volunteering in the community, such as volunteering as "sitter-ins" in hospitals.

This Durham Light Infantry cap badge and original beret is part of our War and Weaponry Collection.

The Durham Light Infantry was a light infantry regiment of the British Army in existence from 1881 to 1968. It was formed in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 68th Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot along with the Militia and Volunteers of County Durham. During World War Two, the D.L.I. raised 15 battalions, two Regular, six 1st and 2nd line Territorial (one renamed and transferred to another regiment), and the remainder war formed (mostly so called 'Dunkirk' battalions), with 10 seeing active service overseas.

This Official Programme of the Victory Celebrations 8th June 1946 is part of our War and Weaponry Collection.

The London Victory Celebrations of 1946 were British Commonwealth, Empire and Allied victory celebrations held after the defeat of Nazi Germany and Japan in World War II. The celebrations took place in London on 8 June 1946, and consisted mainly of a military parade through the city and a night time fireworks display.

This World War Two RAF Air Ministry Lancaster Bomb Selector Switch Box is part of our War and Weaponry Collection.

The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined World War Two heavy bomber. It first saw service with RAF Bomber Command in 1942;  it was the main aircraft for the night-time bombing campaigns that followed.This Bomb Selector Switch Box enabled the pilot to activate the bombs.