Thomas Graham’s Diary – 4th September 1939
The day after war has been officially been declared by Britain, Thomas responds to the news that the passenger liner ‘Athenia’ had been suck by a German U-boat. The S.S […]
80th Anniversary of the Declaration of War with Germany on the 3rd September 1939
It was officially announced at 11.15am on the 3rd September 1939, that Britain was at war with Germany. There are various records held in the Archives that show the reaction […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 1st & 2nd September 1939
The countdown to war began in earnest on the 1st of September when the Nazi Luftwaffe began bombing raids on Warsaw, and again, over these two days, Thomas comes back […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 30th & 31st August 1939
The anxiety continues for Thomas and his family with him here coming back to his diary throughout the days as the situation develops. There is a very real sense of […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 29th August 1939
This long and thoughtful diary entry can be summed up by a quote from within the text: “I dare say you are thinking ‘Why does this old bore write down […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 28th August 1939
This is an understandably rather gloomy diary entry as Thomas considers what the costs of war will be both to the people and the fabric of the nation. He again […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 27th August 1939
This long diary entry discusses the repercussions of the Soviet/German pact and Thomas’ worries about the situation of Poland. Sir N. Henderson is Sir Nevile Meyrick Henderson, who became the […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 26th August 1939
This entry begins with a reference to the anniversary of a battle that happened in the early stages of the First World War. The Battle of Le Cateau took place […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 25th August 1939
In this entry, Thomas reflects on the loss of life in the First World War, just 25 years before this. One of the biggest factors in the support for appeasement […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 24th August 1939
It must be remembered that as we edge closer to war, Thomas had already seen his share of conflict. He joined the King’s Liverpool Regiment as a Second Lieutenant on […]