The War Years

Courage and compassion during a time of crisis at at last she could look the East End in the eye!

-  MAGGIE SWINBURNE

Around The World

The reputation of kings and queens around Europe and the world was at a very low ebb at the outbreak of the Second World War. The abdication of King Edward and his preference for Wallis Simpson over the responsibilities of his royal duties was held in very poor esteem by his subjects. However the new King's earnest attempt to share the deprivations of war with his fellow citizens made his approval ratings soar by the end of hostilities. "Us four", as he called the Royal family, laid the foundation of the bond of love and service upon which rests the role of the monarchy in the UK. When Buckingham Palace was bombed the Queen Mother was heard to say that at last she could look the East End in the eye!

The situation in Europe had been worsening during the recession-hit 1930s, and although there was jubilation when Chamberlain returned from Munich with his special note from Hitler, everyone knew that the evil day of open warfare had merely been postponed.

Every nerve was straining to build up our army in the face of overwhelming odds, with aircraft, ships and arms being assembled as fast as possible.

When the tanks of the Third Reich rolled into Poland, there was no option but to declare that war had broken out.