World War 2 Remembered – 80 years on

War Is Announced

Eighty years ago, on 3 September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany. Hitler's aggressive foreign policy had led to the invasion of the Czech lands in March 1939. Britain and France subsequently agreed to support Poland in the event of a German invasion. However, this had no affect and Hitler attacked Poland on 1 September 1939. On 3 September the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, announced that the Germans had failed to respond to the British deadline for the withdrawal of German troops from Poland. The Germans were told that unless Germany announced plans to with draw from Poland a state of war would exist between the two countries. Chamberlain announced to the country, "I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received and consequently this country is at war with Germany."

The Effects of War

World War 2 had a devastating effect on all our families.

• Men already in the armed forces they were sent to war.
• Many men volunteered to go and fight in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
• The National Service Act imposed conscription and many men were forced to enlist in the armed forces.
• In the six years of war many lives were lost. Others became prisoners of war and many were wounded. All bearing the mental scars of warfare.
• There were many courageous acts, many recognised with bravery awards.
• For those who lived in London, and other British cities, there were air raids by the German Luftwaffe. The population got used to air raids, air raid sirens, nights spent in air raid shelters and the resulting devastation, loss of houses and loss of life. Many of our family members lived in London and Portsmouth, both areas targeted by the air raids.
• People were displaced from their homes as large-scale evacuation took place of women and children, from the cities to the safer country environment.
• Emergency measures were announced, which included identity cards, blackouts, rationing of food and clothing and other commodities.
• Women took on roles that they had not done before, from working in the land army to the munitions work.
• A few soldiers found themselves a long way from home where they met local girls and fell in love - romances and subsequently families, that would not have happened without the war.

Some World War 2 Stories Relating to The Family

If you search the Internet there are several individuals who have written about their experiences in World War 2. For copyright reasons I cannot rewrite their story but below are links to what information is available on the internet on family name and World War 2. Please click the links to read their story.

Catherine Titheridge 

Catherine was a stewardess Wren on HMS Hornet. Read her story.

Dusty Titheridge

Dusty was in the RAF and married his Canadian sweetheart. Read his story.

Roy Leslie Walter Titheradge 

Roy was mentioned in despatches for his bravery. Read his story.

Muriel Tytheridge

Muriel was a young girl when she was evacuated to countryside from Woolwich. Read her story

Alan Tytheridge

Alan was held in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp. Read his story. 

More World War Stories

Over the next few blogs I hope to recount a few of the family stories I know relating to World War 2. Many of us have heard our parents or grandparents talk about life in the war, but despite this it is much harder to research individuals in the second world war compared to first. This is due to the confidentiality of the records and the fact they are not readily available. However, did you know, if your father or grandfather or other family member fought in World War 2 that their next of kin can access their records if they are deceased? The fee is £30. If they or their spouse are still alive, the records can be accessed for free. Information about this service is available at this link.  

If you can tell us about the life of someone who fought in World War 2, and would like it recorded here, please email me and I will publish your story.