Videos tagged with christmas

Stan Hope - RAF evader (part 1)

Stan Hope - RAF evader (part 1)

On 8th December 1942 Stan Hope was the navigator/camera operator in an RAF Mosquito on a photo reconnaissance mission to Austria. When the aircraft developed a fault the pilot decided they could not reach Britain and so he and Stan would both have to bail out and the plane would be set to crash. They were over German occupied Belgium, and Stan landed by parachute in the countryside. He had visited its capital Brussels before the war, and even spoke a little French, and so he headed for this city in the hope that he'd find safe refuge there from the occupying German troops. He would then try to reach 'neutral' Spain via occupied France. While in Brussels he enjoyed a surprisingly sociable time over Xmas, thanks to the kindness, hospitality and courage of the Belgian family which hid him. But, as we'll hear in Part 2, the New Year would bring tragic consequences for them and also Stan. For more information on the WW2 escape lines: www.ww2escapelines.co.uk

Childhood memories of post-war life in the North East of England

Childhood memories of post-war life in the North East of England

Sylvia Curry was born and grew up in the North East of England. In the 1950s, after the 2nd World War, Sylvia was a small child and in this interview she recounts some of her happy childhood memories. Sylvia came from a very creative family and they were always making things. Children back then were allowed to play freely as there was a real sense of freedom. Sylvia remembers some of the childhood games her and her friends used to play, dressing up for the coronation in 1953 and making hand-made Easter eggs. Sylvia also talks about how post-war rationing affected people's lives and how the role of women has changed drastically since then.

Leaving India for the UK - Part 2

Leaving India for the UK - Part 2

In Part 2 Yash talks about the differences in tradition when it comes to celebrating Christmas and New Years in India and the UK including an unusual Indian students tradition to ring in the new year.