WW2 exhibition highlights personal stories

The story-led exhibit explores the lives of people during the war, including Walter Thompson (R) who later became editor of the Whitehaven News

Powerful stories of Cumbrian people who lived through World War Two are being told through a new exhibition.

Service, Solidarity and Sacrifice at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, will share the experiences of an RAF bomber pilot, a commando and a member of the French Resistance among many others.

Residents have also contributed stories, photographs and artefacts to the display, which is on show until February 1.

Cumberland Council's Anne Quilter said the exhibition was a valuable opportunity to share "wartime stories with a new generation".

"It reflects the resilience and commitment of our community during a defining period in history, and I'm pleased to see these memories preserved and presented at The Beacon," she said.

Among those whose stories are being told is Neville Emery, a flying officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, who went on to play and coach rugby league in Whitehaven.

First-hand testimonies will also be shared from the Danish Fishing Fleet, The Women's Land Army, a Special Operations Executive agent and an RAF gunner.

The exhibition will include artefacts used by people during the war

The voices of singer Dame Vera Lynn and musician Glenn Miller will also be used to help immerse people in the atmosphere of the 1940s.

The museum's visitor experience manager Heather Holmes said the exhibition would shine a light on the "quiet heroism" of people during the war.

Service, Solidarity and Sacrifice has been developed in collaboration with Museum Development North, Cumbria Archives, Whitehaven Library, Cumbria's Museum of Military Life and the BBC Sound Archive.

Neville Emery was a flying officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and later played rugby league in Whitehaven

The Beacon's curator Edwin Rutherford said the display had been created to mark the 80th anniversary year of VE and VJ Day.

"Inspirational stories of heroism and bravery demonstrate that during World War II, ordinary people did extraordinary things," he said.