 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
This month marks the seventieth anniversary of the D-Day landings. Join us on board HMS Belfast on Friday 6 June for a firing of the 4-inch guns as part of the commemorations.
As Father's Day approaches, join us online or at one of our museums to discover more about fathers and families who endured war through their heartfelt letters, toy bears and ration biscuits. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Life on board during the invasion |
|
HMS Belfast was one of the first ships to open fire on enemy positions on 6 June 1944 and remained almost continuously in action over the course of the next five weeks, supporting the thousands of British, American and Canadian troops who were making their way ashore to fight the Germans.
After bombarding the beach codenamed 'Gold', HMS BelfastDiadem, moved into a position on 12 June to support the advance onto 'Juno' beach. It was during this offensive that she ran out of shells, returning to Portsmouth on 16 June to re-ammunition. This task would have been performed by a party from the naval barracks, allowing the ship's company a few hours' leave, during which local men could have seen their families before returning to action on 18 June. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Discover more about D-Day |
|
Stand by as HMS Belfast marks the seventieth anniversary of D-Day with simulated firings of her 4-inch guns at 12.30pm on Friday 6 June.
Come on board to immerse yourself in the ship's history, discovering what living and working on board would have been like during the invasion. There is a special trail for families, which allows kids to embark on their own mission to uncover more about the people and places involved in D-Day. This weekend (7-8 June), take part in our Making Medals family workshop to create your own plaster cast medal in honour of the sailors, soldiers and airmen who fought on D-Day. |
|
|
|
|
|  |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Last letter home |
|
"I have no reason to believe or feel that this letter will ever be read since it will only be opened if and when I am killed, or at least listed among those who 'failed to return."
For fathers and mothers of young men and women serving in war or conflict, the hardest thing must be to receive the heartfelt last letter home from their son or daughter. Fourth months after writing home to his parents in 1941, Canadian pilot Jamie Dunlop was killed when his aircraft crash-landed on return from an operation.
Jamie's last letter home is included in IWM Duxford's AirSpace exhibition, which tells the story of aviation in Britain and the Commonwealth. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Explore your family connection to the First World War |
|
Did you have a grandfather or great-grandfather that served in uniform or worked on the home front during the First World War? This Father's Day explore your connection to the First World War through our new digital project for the Centenary, Lives of the First World War.
Family members of Rifleman Albert 'Bert' Rudge (pictured above) helped us to uncover more about his life by uploading digital images of photos, letters and documents to his Life Story page. Could you do the same for one of your relatives? |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Gifts from the front |
|
During the First and Second World War, many soldiers separated from their families made gifts to send home.
This Father's Day explore IWM North and view these gifts first hand, including the adorable toy bear handmade by Bombardier Frederick Byott for his daughter Rose, while he recovered from an injury during the First World War. Be inspired, join our craft session and make your own bear souvenir to give to a loved one
Daring dads can also take a trip to the 100-foot high AirShard Viewing Platform while listening to the roar of a Sopwith Camel Biplane and the echoes of a field gun in acclaimed artist Bill Fontana's sound installation.
Round off your trip nicely by getting up close to original objects, like a Harrier Jump Jet and the field gun that fired the British Army's first shell in the First World War. |
|
|
|
|
|  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Family mementoes |
|
Did you know?
A key component of front line rations were British Army issue biscuits. The notoriously hard biscuits were frequently carved to create souvenirs or mementoes.
These keepsakes were of great personal value to servicemen, reminding them of the loved ones they left behind when they volunteered or were conscripted.
This frame holds a photograph of Herring, his wife and twin children, Barbara and Lawrence. |
|
|
|
| |  |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Churchill and his bow tie |
|
Winston Churchill started wearing a spotted bow tie as a tribute to his father, Lord Randolph, who died when Churchill was 20 years old.
Churchill idolised his father despite Randolph never believing he would amount to much - something Churchill worked hard, and succeeded, in proving wrong. |
|
|
|
|
|  |
|
|
