Community council looking to “interview as many people” as possible as part of World War II project

A local community council is looking for members of the public who lived through World War II to interview as part of a commemorative booklet.

Cefn Community Council, which creating the document, is working alongside local schools in researching those from the area who fought in the war.

The information gathered will be collated into a booklet, which will be published to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. It comes off the back of a successful document created by the council to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

However the community council say that “to obtain the required personal information of the fallen soldiers is a complicated process due to the Public Records Act 1958, the information has not been released by the authorities.”

As a result councillors are looking to interview as many people from the local community who lived during World War II in an “effort to give the children of today a sense of how life has changed in the years between then and now.”

Research for the booklet is already underway and will take place until late June.

A message from the community council, states: “If you know anyone who lived through these times and are willing to be interviewed to gain a better understanding of their life at that time, such as; where did they go to school; did they use the air raid shelters; carry gas masks; how available were sweets and fruit? Did rationing affect their family? Did people receive Christmas presents, if yes what?

“What was it like living through blackouts; no street lighting? How was news relayed to those people; no television or sky news just the radio, newspapers, Pathe news and snail mail?

“Does anyone remember how long it took for a letter posted from a serving soldier abroad to get delivered, were these censored? What about food; How many people had allotments; what did a normal meal consist of? Was everything rationed? how much were you allowed?

“We have been fortunate enough to have interviewed a number of people already, two of which remembered the evacuees arriving and being stared at by local children, while they waited to see who they would live with.

“Did any of your relations receive awards during the war such as medals, commendations etc. If you have any photos, certificates, memorabilia we would be extremely grateful if you would allow us to copy them.”

To commemorate WW2 VE Day there will be a community event held at the George Edwards Hall on Tuesday 5th May between 12pm to 4pm. An afternoon tea will be available from 12pm to 1pm please notify the Clerk of your attendance for catering purposes on 01978 821298.

There will be various items on display, local historians in attendance, school choir and local community choir ‘Raise the Roof’.

The booklets success is very much dependent on the information which we hope you will provide us with, please help us as much as you can.

Pictured: The inside of the World War 1 booklet created by Cefn Community Council