“I am pleased to be associated with the Second World War Experience Centre in Leeds even if only in a very small way. I much enjoyed my times at Leeds University in the late sixties as an undergraduate reading for a degree in Geography and History. This imbued in me even further my strong interest in the Second World War gleaned from relatives as a child and as a student living in Ilkley. For the past 30 years I have taught, lectured and written about the period to students of all ages from 7 to 102!

As an ex-teacher I am very keen that young people should not be allowed to forget about the two World Wars and other 20th century conflicts. A friend of mine, Henry Metelmann, a Stalingrad veteran, concurs with this view and spends much of his time visiting schools and colleges talking about his experiences. It is amazing what people remember when they are in front of a tape recorder and many find this preferable to writing down their thoughts – all their memories and emotions come flooding back. These veterans know that time is not on their side and for future generations views must be put on tape. To me they have seemed humble and modest and always praise others’ bravery. Many are happy to hand to the Centre for safe keeping maps, diaries, photos, letters, magazines, books and other wartime souvenirs. It is a great privilege to meet such fine and courageous men and women from many different walks of life who experienced some of the most challenging years in our nation’s illustrious history”.

“My own war experiences were as a very young boy. I recall, for instance, carrying a gas mask, waiting for ‘doodle bugs’ to cut out, collecting shrapnel, the fun of sleeping in an Anderson Shelter and rapidly spending my monthly sweet ration. Later, the cinema was a source of information through such films as ‘The Dambusters’, ‘Colditz’, ‘The Sands of Iwo Jima’ and ‘A Bridge too Far’. Apart from this, and what almost everyone knows of events such as Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and Pearl Harbor, my Second World War knowledge was not extensive. When, therefore, Peter Liddle asked me if I would like to interview people about their war experiences I did not immediately feel qualified to do so. I was not so concerned about the questioning side as a latent interest in interviewing had long existed. (Whilst watching television interviews I often pay more attention to the person asking the questions than the interviewee!) Despite my concerns, I became involved and with each interview I conduct my knowledge of the war years increases.

A number of interviewees belong to ex-servicemen’s associations and, or, attend reunions. These people are, therefore, more used to discussing their wartime activities. Others, perhaps, have not mentioned their experiences for many years and almost certainly to no one outside their family. But whoever has been talking to me has done so without conceit, exaggeration, or bitterness even. As one limbless veteran said in relation to his feelings about losing his legs – ‘it’s all part of the game of war, isn’t it?’ By and large all those people have spoken in conclusion of their reminiscences by telling of the positive part the war played in their personal lives, and that they would not want to have missed it. To post-war generations this may seem odd, but all the taped experiences happened to people before they reached the age of thirty. For some it really was a question of – follow that!

Playing a small part in helping the Centre to develop its collections has, without doubt, been one of the most interesting activities in which I have ever been involved.