Story of the People’s War

Wartime memories have been compiled into a new booklet by Muriel Palmer of Much Wenlock from which profits are going to the Royal British Legion in the town.

She was a volunteer for the BBC People’s War project and the book, called What We Did In The War, brings together memories of World War Two gathered and submitted to the People’s War website.

“Much Wenlock library held a ‘People’s War tea party’, and it was at this party when the vague idea I had had of a booklet took root. I was asked by several people if there could be a book so that they could sit at home and read the stories of what their friends and neighbours had done in the war.

“Many people haven’t spoken, or wanted to speak, of what they did in the war, and so I am extremely grateful that they have been prepared to tell me their stories so that they can be preserved for future generations,” she said.

Among the memories in the book are the bombing of Ironbridge - the bombs missed - the experiences of an evacuee who arrived in Much Wenlock from Liverpool in 1941, and the crash of an American fighter behind the Lady Forester Hospital in Much Wenlock.

There are also stories of the experiences of people who were at that time living in other parts of Britain, and of men and women who served around the world in various theatres of war.

Particular help in producing the booklet came from the William Brookes School in Much Wenlock.

Muriel says if she receives enough further stories, she will compile a second booklet. She can be contacted at: Muriel Palmer, 4 Sheinton Street, Much Wenlock, Shropshire TF13 6HT.