Steve takes a look at the real Home Guard, why it was formed and what it did, dispelling some popular myths. He also looks at the TV series, characters, actors, locations and the catchphrases. It is however worth remembering that the Home Guard lost over 1600 members, killed on duty during its lifetime. Two of its members posthumously received the George Cross. An entertaining talk that attempts to set the record straight. Steve lives in Christchurch, originally from Worcester, he…

Ian Fleming held the rank of Commander in the RNVR, the same rank he would later give to his action hero, James Bond. Commander Fleming’s role in WW2 secret operations were every bit as fantastic as those in his books about the 007 Bond. Kathy reveals some of these, and the man behind Bond. Kathy is a graduate of University of Strathclyde, now based in Bournemouth, and spent much of her professional life in the world of books and publishing,…

Studland was used for the training of the invasion force under “Operation Smash” in 1944, and Poole was the third largest embarkation point for “Operation Overlord”. David shows how Studland was involved in the pre D-Day training and how Poole was used in the build up for the D-Day landings. David is a local historian who has written several books on Poole’s history, including one on the Royal Ordnance Factory, Holton Heath, where he worked as a scientist on cordite…

From humble beginnings to now being one of the leading clubs in the world, ‘Poole Pirates’ are one of the less known about successes on our doorstep. With the help of the riders and those behind the scenes, Howard has put together this presentation of this famous club. Howard, himself  a supporter of the Pirates for over 50 years, returns to us from his travels, after last year giving us the story of another local famous success story, though now…

We often neglect the 20th Century as being “not really history”, but there is plenty to be discovered about individuals and communities between 1900 and 1945. This era brings difficulties of larger and more mobile populations and closed records. Janet will help with sources to bring these recent ancestors to life. Janet is currently leader of the North Devon Family History Society and Vice President of the Isle of Wight FHS, returning to talk to us. She has been involved…

Quarter Sessions Records are the oldest public records of the historic counties of England and Wales that survive. In some counties they survive from the 15th century, mostly from the 17th century to 1972, when they were replaced by Crown Courts. These records can be found in County Record Offices, the British Library and smaller City and Town Record Offices. They have often been ignored by family and local historians. Les returns after his informative talk on records of the…