The Second World War: Barnsley's Story (Part 1)

Map and Bomb Release Mechanism These items are from the Whitley Bomber that crashed at Pogmoor.

Small items like this were kept as ‘souvenirs’ from what many young people said was a ‘very sad and very exciting’ time of their lives.

Propeller It is thought that this propeller is from the Whitley Bomber that crashed at Pogmoor.

Defence Medal and Associated Paperwork This Defence Medal was awarded to William Jordan of Richmond Street, Barnsley who was an ARP warden during the war.

On loan from Paul Reed

‘Sweetheart’ Brooch Many items like these brooches were made from materials salvaged from crashes. One has been shaped into a heart from a small amount of perspex taken from an aeroplane. The gentleman in the photograph is Wilfred Bird and the brooch was worn by his sweetheart, Kathleen Howard, whom he later married.

Gas Mask in Cardboard Box and Tin for a Gas Mask Everyone was supposed to carry a gas mask at all times in case of a gas attack. As the war progressed and attacks didn’t happen people were reluctant to carry them.

You could be fined for being out without your gas mask.

Gas Mask for an Infant This gas mask was designed so that a small child could be placed inside and protected from a gas attack. This, like many others, was issued in July 1939 and has been stored, unused, for many years.

National Registration Identity Card This identity card was for Frederick Hollins who was born in 1939. All citizens had to carry an identity card with them to prove who they were. This card has been stamped to show the rations Frederick received.

Babies and toddlers were allowed a higher milk ration than older children and adults.

Jigsaw Toys and games were in short supply during the war as most raw materials were reserved for essentials. A jigsaw like this would have been a treat for a birthday or Christmas and would have been used many times over.

Wooden Toy Tank This wooden tank was given to the elder brother of Ralph Hibbert for Christmas in 1939 or 1940. Their mother bought it from the Halifax Royal Infirmary where they were made by the joiners and were being sold to raise funds for the war. The tank was treasured by several different boys in the Hibbert family and has recently been given a new coat of paint.

Scrapbook This scrapbook was collated

by Master W Mason who lived in Havelock Street, Barnsley.

He carefully took clippings from local newspapers and arranged them based on the surnames of the men and women mentioned.

Reading the newspapers would have been a regular activity for people wanting to find out as much news as possible.

Letter to Mary Ann Ennis from the Mayor, George Mason This letter was sent to Mary Ann Ennis thanking her for her contribution of £37 to the School Children’s Boot Fund. Parents often found it difficult to get clothes and shoes for their children due to rationing.

NFS Badge This badge belonged to Eileen Townend who worked for the National Fire Service during the war. Prior to the war she was a hairdresser but many women joined new organisations to enable more men to join the Armed Forces. Eileen worked on the telephones routing emergency calls to the correct place.

Plaque for ‘Warship Week’ Many villages, factories and pits were encouraged to raise funds for the sponsorship and purchase of military vehicles. This plaque commemorates the fact that Wombwell adopted a motor torpedo boat during ‘Warship Week’ in 1942.

Letter from Clementine Churchill This letter was sent from Clementine Churchill to Barnsley residents Mollie and Beryl Schofield to thank them for their donation to the ‘Aid to Russia Fund’ in 1942. Private individuals as well as organisations gave money to support those affected by the war, both in the UK and abroad.

Recipe Book for Fundraising This recipe book was compiled by the women of the Women’s Voluntary Service for the Mayor of Barnsley’s Spitfire Fund.

All proceeds from the book went towards the cost of making new aircraft. It also provided new inspirations for meals to be made with the available food rations.

Collecting Tin This tin is labelled ‘War Comforts for Barnsley men serving at home and abroad’. Parcels of food, soap and clothing were sent to those in the Armed Forces as well as those who were prisoners of war. Whilst people were away fighting they were never far from the thoughts of those still in the borough.

Poster, Leaflet and Badge for ‘Salute the Soldier’ Week The government created many initiatives to keep people supporting the huge demands of war. ‘Salute the Soldier’ week was just one of these. This blank poster would have enabled people to fill in the details of the events they had organised.

Pamphlet and Badge for a Salvage Steward Throughout the war any materials that could be re-used were collected and this was overseen by a salvage steward. These materials included rubber, metal, paper and animal bones. In December 1942 Barnsley collected over 5 tonnes of paper and over 3 tonnes of tin.

War Savings Campaign Plaques People were encouraged to put any money they had into national savings schemes or purchase war bonds. These plaques commemorate the significant amounts of money raised by the people of Barnsley during ‘Wings for Victory’ week in 1943 and ‘Salute the Soldier’ week in 1944.

Clothing Ration Book This book from the late 1940s is typical of those issued during the war and shows that rationing was part of people’s lives for several years afterwards. Clothes were strictly limited and carefully designed to use a limited amount of fabric. Knitting became a popular pastime, with people making everything from socks and gloves to blankets and jumpers.

Underwear This garment of ladies’ underwear was made with silk taken from a parachute that was no longer in use. They have been decorated with tatting which would have taken a great deal of time to do.

Cookery Book and Sandwich Bags This cookery book is typical of those produced in the war. It has recipes such as ‘Milk and Onion Soup’ and ‘Brussels Sprout Puree’ as well as the interesting sounding ‘Velvet Mould Soup’. There is a section about making puddings without sugar which suggests using condensed milk or the syrup from tinned fruit instead.

Coupons These ration coupons would be exchanged for food items or clothing as required and depending upon what was available. It is unusual that these have survived as so many were exchanged for goods or have been thrown away.

Scarf This scarf or handkerchief is decorated with a series of morale boosting and warning messages; ‘Give us the tools we’ll do the job’, ‘Go to it’, ‘Careless talk costs lives’, ‘We shall defend our Island no matter what the cost may be’.

It is typical of the propaganda used during the war.

Anti-Tank Bomb This anti-tank bomb (also known as a Sticky Bomb) was made at the glass factory, Beatson Clark.

Many women worked there during the war. They blew the glass to form the bomb shape which was then filled with nitroglycerine. The woolly cover was covered in a type of glue which enabled it to stick to the side of a tank before it exploded.

Civil Defence Helmet Men and women worked shifts throughout the day and night at factories and pits across the borough. They would have travelled by bus, bike or on foot.

The dangers of shrapnel and other debris falling from the sky was a real risk so people wore helmets like this one.

Soldier’s Release Book Gunner, Wilfred Fell was a baker by trade but was called up in 1939 and then demobbed in 1945.

Documents like this book would have been essential as they documented who people were and provided some structure for people returning to civilian life after the war.

WAAF Jacket The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force was formed in 1939 as a subdivision of the RAF. Throughout the war many women undertook vital support roles for the RAF as well as flying planes in non-combative circumstances.

This jacket belonged to Beth Ibbotson who joined the WAAF and was stationed at Harrogate where she had an administrative role. Miss Ibbotson was so petite this jacket had to be made specifically for her.

Pamphlet for WAAF Members At the end of the war women were encouraged to stay in the WAAF but were also provided with information about returning to civilian life.

Army Jacket and Membership Card This jacket belonged to Sargent H Scurr of Barugh Green who enlisted in June 1944 and was in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He joined as a Private and got paid 3 shillings a day.

ATA Badge and Photograph The Air Transport Auxiliary was formed for pilots to ferry aircraft, personnel and supplies wherever they needed to go. Women pilots were part of the ATA and in 1943 received equal pay to their male counterparts. Eva Burnett joined the ATA aged 18 and worked in the payroll department.

Button Polishing Device and Medals These items belonged to Eric James Armer (known as Jack) who was in the 33rd Corps of the 14th Army, a subdivision of the Indian Army. The 14th Army held one of the longest battle lines during the war stretching from the Bay of Bengal to the border with China. As well as The Star 1939-45 and the Defence Medal he also received the Burma Star for active service in the Burma campaign.

PoW Rice Bowl This bowl known as a ‘mess tin’ belonged to Frank Hadfield.

After joining the Armed Forces he spent three years as a prisoner of war in a Malaysian camp. PoWs were often given very little food and undertook hard labour. Frank was one of thousands who built the Burma Railway. He kept his bowl as a reminder of his experiences.

Absent Voter Cards As the population of Barnsley was displaced all around the world many people could only vote by using absent voter cards. This meant they could still express their democratic rights.

ATA and VAD Release Book This book belonged to Margaret Rose who was born in 1924.

She served in the Air Transport Auxiliary and the Voluntary Aid Detachment. She had previously worked at Burroughs as a machine operator. According to the book, her military record was exemplary.

Skill at Arms Book Throughout the war, men and women needed training in a wide variety of skills. One of these was an ability to handle firearms. This book may have belonged to Jack Armer to record his progress.

PoW Postcard This postcard was sent from CQMS N Reed to his mother, Mrs A Reed in Cudworth, Barnsley. It reads as follows: ‘I hope you and Pop are also keeping well and not worrying, I long to be home again and hope I soon shall be.’ Many men spent time in prisoner of war camps during the war and thousands never came home.

Photograph of Mary Simm Mary Simm worked at the David Brown factory during the war making munitions. She came from a very musical family and performed at clubs and dances around Barnsley. She used the name Marie Ward when performing and is shown here in her stage outfit.

Wedding Items These are the wedding and engagement rings of Amy Carr (nÊe Burnett) who married Jack Carr in July 1944. Jack was in the RAF and Amy worked at the Town Hall. Jack managed to arrange leave at short notice and they were married just four days later. Amy’s friends rallied round and helped her organise clothes for the wedding and honeymoon.

Telegram and Photograph This telegram was sent to Kathleen Howard from her fiancĂŠ Wilfred Bird. It was to let her know that their wedding could take place on 30th as he would be home on leave on 27th. Wilfred wore his Royal Marine uniform and Kathleen wore a pale blue dress with a black hat and shoes.

Mining Helmet Safety in coal mines had been a big problem for centuries but during the war there was a movement to encourage miners to wear helmets. Bevin boys were all issued with a helmet but many miners chose not to wear them. A lot of mine owners and managers were indifferent to workers using helmets but some did try to encourage it.

On loan from the Yorkshire branch of the NUM

Miner’s Boots All miners were allocated a certain amount of clothing which included two vests, one shirt, two pairs of trousers and one pair of boots.

Their work was hard and boots often wore out quickly. Leather was very difficult to come by so some miners resorted to wearing boots with wooden soles reinforced with metal. These had been very popular in the 1920s.

On loan from the Yorkshire branch of the NUM

Scrapbook This book of newspaper clippings was compiled by A K Clayton with items from the Barnsley Chronicle and other local papers. This page shows a cutting from 21st February 1942 reporting the pit disaster at Barnsley Main where 13 men lost their lives. There was also an explosion at Crigglestone Colliery in July 1941 when 22 men died.