Delving Into the Past

Posted at 2:16 pm on 24th May, 2018

Year 9 Learn More about Living through World War 2

During the Spring term, Year 9 students in Mrs O'Neill's History lessons were given an opportunity to enhance their learning about the Second World War.

Students were asked to research and write a biography of any person who lived through the war. Their chosen individual could be famous or perhaps someone connected to their family.

Several students jumped at the opportunity to complete in-depth family history research; in some cases, interviewing people known to them and uncovering more about about their personal war experiences:

One student provided information about his Great Grandfather, who won the Military Medal from the King for bravery working with tanks.

Another discovered his Great Uncle had been a POW (Prisoner of War).

One interview with a local lady uncovered the realities of living through the war, such as the bombings and blackouts in Manchester.

Another interview focused on the morale-boosting experiences of the war, including American soldiers being based at Park Hospital (now Trafford General) and attending dances at the John Alker club on Flixton Road.

Many boys worked exceptionally hard on this project, in particular, Luke, Harrison, Christopher and Jamie.

Mrs O’Neill, Leader of Humanities, said:

“For students to engage so enthusiastically in their own independent research about individuals connected to their own families and how the war affected them shows real commitment to learning.

An understanding of how history connects us all is something we hope to foster in students, particularly in relation to such a significant event as the Second World War.”

Year 9 student, Jamie, said:

“I found this project really interesting. I enjoyed actually talking to someone who lived through the war and finding out how their life was affected by it.”