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.
