Shropshire when war broke out - in pictures
The Second World War began 70 years ago today. See our picture gallery for Shropshire images from that time, and share your memories with us.
As war clouds gathered, key public buildings in Shropshire were protected by sandbags. Here boy scouts are helping in the operation to protect the old Wellington Police Station, in Church Street, in August 1939. Second from left is Constable Stan Thomas, who served in the police for 31 years. He is checking that the workmen are stacking the sandbags correctly.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
These youngsters from Shrewsbury School were doing their bit, with Severn House, part of the school complex, in the background. It's possible that these young men were helping to build a bomb shelter. They are, from left: Mann, Burdass, Scott, and Williamson.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
Evacuees arriving at Market Drayton railway station
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
Sandbags were in place at the Shrewsbury Borough Police Station, in Swan hill, in September 1939.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry were serving in the West Indies at war's outbreak.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
How the Shrewsbury Chronicle reported the grim news
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
RAF Shawbury in 1939 - airfields of the time commonly had grass runways.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
Rather unexpectedly for Shropshire folk, this young lady proved to be the face of war in the earliest days. The liner SS Athenia was sunk on the very first day of the conflict. One of the survivors, a young Canadian woman, Phyllis Moss, pictured here, came to Shropshire the following week clad in a blue sweater, tweed skirt and navy blue coat, her only possessions. She was given a temporary home by a Shrewsbury resident, and during her stay she was interviewed by the Shrewsbury Chronicle.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
The Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News of September 2, 1939. This is the back page (which was the main news page back then).
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
Somewhere in Shropshire evacuees were arriving. Sadly, nobody said where in the original newspaper caption.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
The Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News in September 1939, reporting on the outbreak of World War Two. Second World War.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
Shrewsbury policemen were issued with steel helmets.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
This picture, from the Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News of September 9, 1939, had this caption: 'Thousands of sandbags have been used to protect this important building.' It did not say which building or where, but it is probably Shrewsbury police station.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
"Large trenches are now being constructed in the Quarry at Shrewsbury," reported the Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News.
Click here to read Toby Neal's report on Shropshire at war
Boys from Holly Lodge Primary School, Smethwick, arrive at Newport Railway Station.
