War

There are considerable numbers of photographs in the family albums archive which depict various aspects of life in Britain during the two world wars. Many of them are snapshots of family members just after they joined the armed forces, proudly displaying their new uniform. Another common photograph is the group shot, taken either at the training camps or wherever the men were stationed abroad, to let families know that they were well.

The rapidly-changing life at home was also reflected in the photographic record. Factories changed their production to supply munitions, arms, tanks. People did their bit for the war effort by volunteering for the Home Guard or as a member of the ARP (Air Raid Precaution). Air Raid Shelters became part of people's daily (or nightly) routine, and the devastating effect of the bombing on Manchester during the Blitz is graphically illustrated.

It is interesting to note that the changing role of women in society during the wars is also reflected in the photographic archive. With so many of the men fighting abroad, women became increasingly essential to the war effort at home. As a result, they did jobs that were traditionally seen as the preserve of men. Photographs show women working as ticket collectors on buses and trams, posting letters, and working in munitions factories.

One of the more unusual parts of the archive is the small collections of photographs contained in a "Wartime Log for British Prisoners" (a gift from the War Prisoners' Aid of the YMCA). Mr. Ikoli kept the log while a prisoner of war in MILAG POW Camp, Germany. The log contains pictures of a show 'The Desert Song' produced in Milag by the inmates.

Civil Defence Reserves during an actual rescue operation, World War II	Part of crowd watching the Mauretania leaving Liverpool with troops for Dardanelles.	Alexandria 1916 (Manchester Regiment) - centre middle row, Joseph Matthews	A.R.P. Wardens during the Second World War in Moston.	Blitz scene, Manchester.
Blitz scene, Oxford Road, Manchester.	William Jones, born in 1886, photographed when in the Royal Engineers in Mesopotamia in 1916. He worked in various jobs - tram driver, labourer, metal-worker, and in 1933 he was the first man to be taken on at Headleys (the English branch of Proctor and Gamble) soap works. He stayed there till he retired. He died in 1968.	Mr. Fletcher convalescing during the First World War, suffering from shell shock. 1914-18	Robert Owen, taken shortly after joining up in 1914 or 1915.	Irene Hepworth at the door of the air raid shelter in a neighbours garden in Firwood Avenue, Urmston. A number of neighbours shared one shelter. Door opens onto stairs leading underground
A 1st World War postcard for writing to loved ones. Photograph of a wife or girl-friend is inset in the top right hand corner. 1914	Army training camp in France - Frank Prendiville standing second from left, c.1914.	Martha Richardson making munitions at Dobson and Barlow's. Before the war they made mules. Taken c.1915.	Bomber crew during the Second World War. The captain was a Canadian who was decorated for low level flying.	Installation of barriers and ticket boxes at London Road Station during World War Two.
A war time poster at Metro-Vicks.	This postcard shows Harry Coldron when he was being sworn in for Army Service in 1914. He is 2nd from the right.	Group of African seamen in German POW Camp. Mr. Ikoli is second from left in front row. The collection of photographs are contained in a "Wartime Log for British Prisoners" (a gift from the War Prisoners' Aid of the YMCA). Mr. Ikoli kept the log while a prisoner of war in MILAG POW Camp, Germany.	Belgian Refugees at Edgeside Hall. Walter Heys, Waterfoot.	Churchill tanks being assembled during World War II.