Spotlight: Second World War

Gain a fresh perspective on the Second World War with a special weekend of talks, tours, workshops and dancing.

On Saturday 23rd:

• Hear what it was like to grow up during the Blitz as the Chelsea Pensioners recount their memories.
• Join our panel of experts as they compare and contrast the work of the Special Operations Executive across different theatres of the Second World War. Speakers include Kate Vigurs, Tony Insall, Richard Duckett and Rick Stroud.
• Take part in our exciting family tour as we explore the gory, gruesome and surprising world of army medicine!

On Sunday 24th:

• Join Dr Jonathan Fennell and Professor Daniel Todman as they discuss the thoughts, feelings and experiences of Second World War soldiers
• Hear Dr Robert Lyman and Lucy Betteridge-Dyson discuss aspects of the Burma campaign that remain under-represented in accounts of the war.
• Meet snakes, spiders, scorpions and snails in this hands-on workshop and discover what it takes to survive in the wild with ZooLab.

Across the weekend, SwingDanceUK will be leading vintage dance classes in the museum.

Take part in a walking tour of Chelsea that will reveal the devastating impact of the Blitz on Chelsea’s people and places.

Speak to living historians who will bring the Second World War to life and highlight the varied roles that soldiers in the British Army carried out during the conflict.

See a selection of Jeeps from the Second World War, each representing a different facet of the Army’s work.

The talk programme is charged.