History: World War Two

world war2 grenade and suitcase

Examine the effects of World War II through our large collection of original and replica objects.

Costumes, documents and artefacts are used to understand the impact of war on people’s lives locally, nationally and internationally, developing links with Citizenship and PSHE.

Use our handling collection to learn about everyday life in the 1940s and explore the themes of commemoration and remembrance.

A Blitz Tale

Discover the everyday reality of children’s lives from evacuees to life during the Blitz. Explore the feelings of evacuees using original objects, costumes and the sounds of a real air raid.

A Spy’s Tale

Pit your wits against the opposition and crack the codes to unravel secrets from World War II. Put your skills to the test with our morse code machines.

All Our Families at War

Explore the global community of the Commonwealth, the diverse wealth of nations who banded together during World War II. Learn to ‘make do and mend’ and find out about family life at home during the days of food, clothing and fuel rationing.

A Nurse’s Tale

Help a nurse to pack her suitcase as she prepares for her journey to the battlefield. Explore her medical bag to uncover the dangers of women’s roles during the war.

To Book

All sessions last 45 minutes.
Our sessions are £4 per student, with one adult free per ten students.
Tel: 0113 220 1888
Email: educate.leeds@armouries.org.uk

Scary Horned Helmet

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Did you know?

Earliest known galvanising

On the 30 Sept 1999 the Royal Armouries discovered the world’s earliest known galvanising of iron on some 17th Century Indian armour.

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