Wakefield Museums and Castles

House destroyed by bombing on Thornes Road (1941)

What is it? A black and white photograph.

How old is it? The image was taken in March 1941.

Why is this source important? It shows the damage that could be caused by a bomb exploding on or near a house.

Wakefield's worst air raid took place on the 14th March 1941 at 10.50pm. Two large bombs fell on Thornes Road, one at the rear of No. 76 and one between Nos. 48 and 50. Six people died and four more were severely injured. All the houses between Nos.38 and 104 and between Nos. 151 and 232 Thornes Road were damaged or destroyed.

Where was it found / discovered / made? The photograph was donated to the museum service.

What is it made of? Paper.

Where is it now? The photograph is part of Wakefield Museums collections.

Identity card (1944)

What is it? Identity Card

How old is it? The document is stamped 13th June 1944.

Why is this source important? Each person in the UK was required by law to have this form of documentation to prove their identity.

Where was it found / discovered / made? The document was produced by the National Registration Office in 1944. It was donated to the museum in 1991.

What is it made of? Card.

Dimensions: Length 126mm, Width 75mm.

Who would have used this? The person named on the document would use this to prove their identity when asked.

Where is it now? The document is part of Wakefield Museums collections.

Tokens from the Ossett British Restaurant (1939 – 1945)

What is it? Tokens.

How old is it? In use between 1939 - 1945.

Why is this object important? These tokens were used at the Ossett British Restaurant during the Second World War to buy meals.

Where was it found / discovered / made? The tokens were donated in 1994.

What is it made of? Plastic.

Dimensions: Diameter 26mm.

Who would have used this? People purchasing the meals in the restaurant.

Where are they now? The tokens are part of Wakefield Museums collections.

Photograph of Harry Moxon (1941)

What is it? A black and white photograph.

How old is it? Photograph recorded as taken 18th December 1941.

Why is this source important? This photograph shows Harry Moxon of Ossett, West Yorkshire. He is in military uniform wearing a helmet and holding a rifle.

Where was it found / discovered / made? The photograph was donated to the museum in 2006 and shows the donor’s father during the Second World War.

What is it made of? Card.

Dimensions: Length 61mm, Width 45mm.

Who would have used this? The photograph may have been taken for personal use.

Where is it now? The photograph is part of Wakefield Museums Collections.

Photograph of Bessie Brown (1941)

What is it? A black and white photograph.

How old is it? Photograph recorded as taken 14 October 1941.

Why is this source important? This photograph shows Bessie Brown of Featherstone, West Yorkshire. She was a member of the Royal Air Force in Gloucester during the Second World War and is in military uniform.

Where was it found / discovered / made? The photograph was donated to the museum in 2006 and shows the donor’s mother during WW2.

What is it made of? Card.

Dimensions: Length 135mm, Width 83mm.

Who would have used this? The photograph may have been taken for personal use or for her role in the Royal Air Force.

Where is it now? The photograph is part of Wakefield Museums collections.

Women’s Land Army boots (1941 – 1945)

What is it? Boots.

How old is it? Dated between 1941 - 1945.

Why is this object important? These boots show the type of footwear worn by the Womens Land Army during the Second World War.

Where was it found / discovered / made? The boots were donated to the museum in 2004 and belonged to the donor’s mother.

What is it made of? Leather.

Dimensions: Length 290mm, Width 240mm, Height 90mm.

Who would have used this? Women working as part of the Land Army.

Where is it now? The boots are part of Wakefield Museums collections.