Devizes in WW2: The Home Front

[@wessexdruid7598]

14:06 - before the end of December 1943, Imber Village had been fully evacuated and taken over for military training. The ~150 villagers were never to return.

[@hilsarealiveofcourse]

I really enjoyed the talk - thank goodness for the Women’s Voluntary Service and their very useful records!

[@WiltshireMuseumDevizes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hookbeak3516]

My Grandfather signed up for war at the former Co-Op shop now a café. Its the corner building of Market Place & Snuff Street on the left hand side. It was interesting to discover the location of the POW camps on Bishops Cannings road near Cannings Hill Garage. You didn't mention the Barracks, there was mention of Salisbury Plain, but nothing of Imber Village & those poor people, told to leave with false promise of return to their cherished village cottages. My other Grandfather was at the tall corner building in Bath very close to Pulteney Bridge this was a regional M.O.D war office. Jim Griffin was Chief Petty Officer on HMS Ark Royal this was blown up by Japanese Navy. Jim was one of very few to survive, his injured body floated on wreckage, after two weeks in salt water his skin looked burnt. I promoted him turns out he was a stoker. I gave him the promotion he deserved.

[@robinearle7225]

Everyone want to be a critic.

[@georgefoord7240]

Great work, I did my dissertation on the prisoner of war camp in devizes

[@WiltshireMuseumDevizes]

How interesting! See the talk just put online. Would you be able to email us on [e-mail] as would like to find out more. Thanks.

[@hookbeak3516]

What about prisoners who dug out canal? What about the prison on Bath Road, you seemed to concentrate on the W.I, bunkers, dances & shopping lists.

[@wessexdruid7598]

The prison was demolished in 1927, closed in 1921, after being used solely for military detentions 1914-20.

[@hookbeak3516]

I'm no historian by any stretch of the imagination, but I do think your presentation lacked certain content. How long before a compulsory purchase of the Assize Court makes good their actions as businesses struggle to survive. A new museum, shops etc would rejuvenate local economy, especial if they rebuild a railway station in Stert. But we desperately need a bypass, but now I'll cease my political rant.