Wartime Leicestershire

WARTIME MEMORIAL DATABASE
Can you help provide information?

The Leicestershire County Council are collating information on the location, history and condition of all known wartime memorials situated in and around Leicestershire and Rutland.

Do you know or want to know more about a wartime memorial situated near you?

Can you provide further information as to who commissioned the memorial or photographs?

Click Here to view the online map interface showing known sites.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Baggy Pants & Warm Beer
by Peter Outridge

"Memories of the eventful six-months in 1944 when the 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the US 82nd Airborne Division was based in Leicestershire, UK.

In the words of the author: "What I have attempted to do is to tell the story of the five-month period in 1944 when the men of the 504 PIR, battered and bruised from campaigns in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, found themselves neighbours; and in a lot of cases good friends; to

the villagers of Evington, Stoughton and Oadby in Leicestershire, England. It is dedicated to all those who served with the 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War Two."

This title is a rare and most welcome publication to be published, highlighting an often overlooked aspect of the wartime history of Leicestershire during the Second World War. If you would like to To order a copy of this book online, or visit Woodfield Publishing

Produced in softback, 110pages (205 x 290mm) with photographs. ISBN 1-84683-041-9.
Cover price: £10.00

To The Last Round: The Leicestershire and Rutland Home Guard 1940-1945
by Austin J. Ruddy

Austin Ruddy reveals the true story behind the Home Guard. Apart from their well-known infantry role, Home Guards manned anti-aircraft guns and rockets, formed bomb disposal squads and helped train Special Forces units. Women Auxiliaries and boy cadets also served in the force. One further note to add is that this book is based on the Leicestershire and Rutland Home Guard!

This title is the latest publication to be published, revealing fascinating insights into the wartime history of Leicestershire and Rutland. If you would like to To order a copy of this book online,

Produced in hardback, 224pages (240 x 170mm) with 200 illustrations. ISBN 978 1 85983 559 3.
Cover price: £16.99

EVENTS
A Wartime Sky Ride Local in Leicester.

From Leicester's new bike park this ride takes you back in time to the night of 19th November 1940 and the Leicester blitz. See what effect the bombing raid had on the shape of our city as we cycle on traffic free and suburban roads. History, stories, architecture and a great ride.

The event starts at 2:00pm on Sunday 27th May, 2012. For more info, .

The Great Central Railway:
Wartime Event

The roaring forties come alive in flaming June with an evocative commemoration of World War II. Vintage flypasts, mock battles, beer tent, hundreds of re-enactors and dance to the music of time gone by.

Events are scheduled for Friday 8th June, Thursday 9th August and Wednesday 10th October 2012.

For more info, click here.

Do you have any wartime memories to share?

If you have any memories of living or serving in Leicestershire during the Second World War, feel free to share them with Wartime Leicestershire, on our 'Memoirs' page.

If you wish to submit an account of your own experiences during the war in Leicestershire, please contact Wartime Leicestershire, here.

Hits since 22/8/2001