During World War Two, many people from York joined the forces and went off to fight. But there was also war work to be done at home:

 
Factory workers at Rowntrees
Airraid wardens
Home Guard
A Land Girl ploughing with horses

Rowntree's (now Nestles) had a secret department which made fuses for bombs.

Terry's chocolate factory had an underground department for making propellers.

Part of the Railway Carriageworks involved making parts for aircraft.

There was voluntary work in the hospitals, or being an ARP (Air Raid Precautions) warden, which meant looking after air raid shelters and the city's air raid sirens, and making sure all houses had blackout curtains.

 

The Home Guard was a trained unit ready to defend the city in case of invasion.

 

The Women's Land Army. Women went to work on farms in the countryside, doing everything from milking cows to driving tractors.

 
 

To find out more, use the links below for stories about the AIR RAIDS, for stories about FASHIONS AND RATIONS, or for stories about children who were EVACUEES.

When you see the sound files, click on them to hear recordings of people's memories of the War.
  Imperial War Museum Big Lottery Fund  

This project was co-ordinated by Van Wilson with the help of York Oral History Society.
Website design: Lesley Collett

Thanks to Jon Brownridge and Cube Media for help with the sound files.