When War came to Wymondham 1939-45

In the 1930s Wymondham was self contained and self sufficient - a shopper's paradise. Just over 5,000 people enjoyed a quiet life, the majority employed at the two brush works, in agriculture, on the railway or in local shops and businesses. When war came it brought with it many new faces - evacuees, construction workers, refugees, members of the armed forces and American servicemen. There were many adjustments to be made. This book documents the townspeople's experiences, words and actions as well as those of their wartime visitors. The Urban District Council led by Edwin Gooch its chairman, later to become Labour MP for North Norfolk, had to take control and put into practice government policies for the defence of the town. Such measures needed large numbers of volunteers to help. This book is a tribute to those volunteers, in whatever role they served - such as Air Raid Precaution Wardens, Home Guard, Firefighters, Fire-watchers, Land Girls or in the Women's Voluntary Service, Women's Institute, the Church Army or the Red Cross and St John. These groups worked with the Council to keep people safe, fed and cared for in this challenging situation. Their work required commitment and readiness to go to work as normal the next day.