Tait, Derek Cornwall at War 1939-45

When the Second World War began on 1 September 1939, the people of Cornwall rallied together in a way they had not done since the First World War from 1914 to 1918. Thousands of young men enlisted in the army, while older men joined the Home Guard. Women took over the men's jobs, and many helped charitable organisations and other good causes by joining the Women's Voluntary Service. The Land Army helped with farming, a service that was urgently needed within the county. Many RAF bases were established in Cornwall, which proved indispensable for the defence of the country and as stopovers during bombing raids and other missions. Many evacuees from other parts of the country, including London and nearby Plymouth, were welcomed into the county and cared for by local families. Thousands of American soldiers were stationed in Cornwall before setting off for the coast of northern France on D-Day in June 1944. They were warmly welcomed by the county's residents, many of whom invited them into their homes. This book covers the contribution of the people of Cornwall to the war, from the beginning of the conflict in September 1939 to its end in September 1945. It contains many forgotten news reports from the period and deals with the changes in the daily lives of the civilian population, entertainment and the internment of foreigners living in the region. Air raid shelters, wearing gas masks, rationing, the culture of making do with what was available and collecting scrap metal became part of everyday life. When the war ended, there were huge celebrations throughout the county, but the lives of many people in Cornwall had changed forever.