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Blitz and Peaces WWII Live Music and Living History My own interest in militaria and the British Home Front started when I was a small boy playing in the streets of Exeter. I would talk to the war veterans of two world wars, who lived in the prefabs opposite our house. They had been erected post-war because of the devastation of the Exeter blitz of May 1942. One day, one of these veterans gave me his old Fire Guard helmet, which he used during WWII. I loved the fact that this Helmet had been used during the blitz by someone I knew, it was dated 1941 and that it had its own smell of damp canvas, which I still associate with things from the war years today. This really gave me the bug for collecting things from the war years and encouraged me to question both my Grandfathers and my Father about their life during this period of history. In 1985, aged 25 I organised an event on Exeter Quay involving military Historians, Living History Groups, vehicles music and displays, when it became clear that the city council itself didn’t want to organise and event to commemorate 40 years had passed since the end of WW II. The veterans and residents of the city really got behind the event and it was well attended and a great success, raising a considerable amount of money for the Royal British Legion funds. Realising the importance of the effect of bringing together veterans, historians, equipment and families and sharing memories of Britain’s Heritage, I continued organising similar fund raising events over the years. Blitz and Peaces was formed by Lesley and I in 2005 in Exmouth, Devon. Our aim is to provide quality, experiential entertainment tailored to the needs of WW II living history events. We provide live music using period instruments, static displays of WW II Home Front equipment and also help with aesthetic decoration at events
Arthur as an E.N.S.A. Entertainer and Lesley as an A.T.S Sergeant in Tropical dress. Jane and Lesley as Women’s Land Army and Paul as a spiv. As time has moved on our ranks have been steadily growing, with four people in the main vocal group and our photographer and I.T. specialist John, now becoming more involved at the events, John’s own particular interest is in photographing modern day living historians and scenarios at events, to make them look as realistic as possible. He manages to create a real feeling of being there in some of his remarkable shots. He is also responsible for the overall design of the Blitz and Peaces website, which is updated weekly and encourages other living history groups to link in to the site, to provide a comprehensive contact hub for living historians and the general public.
John Dyer ‘I’ve known Arthur for many years. When he first approached me about a website, I thought a couple of pages about the band and some pictures would be the kind of thing that he would want. I hadn’t reckoned on Arthur’s enormous collection of memorabilia to feature in his ambitions for the site.’ ‘We initially had some discussion for the look and feel of the site and we both agreed that we didn’t want to go down the corporate road, I was particularly keen for it to have a unique feel.’ ‘After a few months of work, it became very apparent that it was not going to become a “short term” project and having been swept away with Arthur’s enthusiasm and intensely positive approach, I was hooked not only on the building of the website, but on my true passion for photography. We started photographing every piece of equipment as it was sourced, mended if needed, cleaned and researched and this is still on-going, a project we plan to complete sometime this millennium,’ ‘I also started visiting and photographing some of the Living History Events, both in terms of photographing the re-enactors, and the veterans and visitors to them. What became apparent very quickly was the overwhelming sense of enjoyment that the veterans showed and talking to them about their experiences became a real interest for me. By talking to them and using the camera to record the events, free from any hint of the present in the background of the shots, I like to get them as realistic as possible. I get a great deal of pleasure from the veterans and the publices reactions and comments to the photos.’ ‘It was at an event that I realised that I didn’t fit in with the backgrounds either! I had no uniform and would clearly be in the background of other people’s shots too. Arthur lent me an American paratroopers uniform, with hundreds of pockets for lenses and other items. Shortly afterwards I purchased my own uniform and equipment and dress as a U.S. Army War Photographer, which reflects my modern day role and remembers the role of the photographers on the front line in real combat situations during WW II. I have looked at many period photographs and have tried to get every detail as accurate as possible, with the exception of one, my Nikon D300, but I could never sacrifice that!’ ‘I find myself attending more and more events these days. The spirit of camaraderie between veterans, vehicle owners and the public always makes for a memorable day out. I have ridden in jeeps, tanks and aircraft to get the shots, which has been an incredible opportunity for me. I have photographed the inside and outside of everything I possibly could, but most of all enjoy photographing the people. From veterans, who are busy re-living their first hand experiences, to the families who bring three generations along, usually dressed up to get the full experience. Of all these things though, watching the veterans talking to the young children is the most rewarding experience, as they know that the children will remember them and their comrades and will never be forgotten. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
. John Dyer (Alias Flash Thunder) Living History Photographer
On-Line Museum We have mounted an on-line museum at our website www.blitzandpeaces.co.uk. We started this 5 years ago and although time consuming, have had great fun putting the various sections together. This is a free facility designed by photographer John and is used by schools and enthusiasts all over the world, who are either, studying or researching WW II. There are now specialist sections for militaria, vehicles and military modellers on the site. With over 2,500 high quality photographs of wartime items in the museum section alone, it’s growing all the time. We have supplied photographs to many periodicals and publications from all over the world. On the website are also mounted selected photographs of events which we have performed at over the last six years. We work with many Living History Events and groups, the M.V.T., Museums, the National Trust, Schools, Age Concern and many residential care homes all over Britain.
Jane Hindle as a W.R.N.S. Second Officer
Jane Hindle ‘Blitz and Peaces is more to me than just singing the wonderful songs from the 1930’s and 40’s. We also spend many hours talking with members of our audiences and listening to them recalling their memories, brought about by familiar songs, uniforms and objects we take with us. On occasions it can be a very emotional and humbling experience.’ ‘By regularly performing the songs from the period we help to keep their memories alive and we can also ensure that future generations, remember and respect with sensitivity, the price that was paid by others for our freedom.’ ‘I have two children of my own and like any other parent would wish for them a happy and peaceful lifetime. Having served in the W.R.N.S. myself during the Falklands conflict, I saw how some lives were adversely affected by the horrors of war and I also understand the responsibilities faced by the Armed Forces in serving their Queen and Country. ‘Through Blitz and Peaces I feel that we remember the hope and spirit of a nation at war, whilst celebrating the importance of peace in our lifetime and for future generations.’
Schools We take home front talks with music and songs into schools and this is a very rewarding experience. By exploring the meaning of the lyrics in the popular song of the time, reflecting the school curriculum at Key Stage 2 we help children learn about the short and long term effects of war. This also stimulates them to understand the principles of the re-cycling drives, healthy eating, fuel conservation and make do and mend, all schemes which were in place during WW II – and are being rediscovered again as an everyday necessity now. In line with Government recommendations, Blitz and Peaces members have current enhanced C.R.B. checks. We are also sponsored by Britain’s leading living history event insurers Graham Sykes insurance. They insure some of the largest military events in the world including the War and Peace show which is held annually In July at the Hop Farm, Beltring in Kent. Public liability insurance cover of 2 million pounds (sterling) is the minimum cover required now by schools, local councils and the National Trust these days and it is a large outlay for most living historians, but we feel it is important to meet with present professional standards of Health and Safety and liability and so are very fortunate to have this sponsorship.
Live Music Performances Our four piece band supply sit down cabaret concerts, or sing-a-long, living history walk-a-bouts at events. We entertain people with history, humour and harmony vocals, using restored period instruments and wearing period dress. We perform at events and venues all over Britain and have a great time.
. Performing in Williamson Square Liverpool Blitz 70
Currently Blitz and Peaces consists of 5 members. Arthur Cook. Guitar, Ukulele, Banjolele, Vocals. Lesley Schlaefli. Vocals and Percussion. Jane Hindle. Vocals and Percussion. Paul Boeree. Bass, Bass Ukulele, Guitar, Vocals. John Dyer. Drums, Web design, I.T. and photography.
Jane, Lesley, Arthur and Paul at the Party in the Park We encourage all generations within families, children, parents and grandparents, to get together to celebrate Britain’s Heritage through song and light hearted humour. We also carry WW II artefacts with us on our journeys through the crowds at events and offer them for discussion and comment to the public. This enables them to look closely at suitable equipment and musical instruments (under supervision) with hands-on question and answer sessions about life and music in the war. It allows them to relate to how life in wartime Britain did, or would have affected their lives. By making these experiential comparisons between then and now, children especially, can learn so much about their own history and how it contributes to their future. It also creates photo opportunities for people to take away as memories of a fun family day out.
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Jane, Lesley, Arthur and Paul Liverpool Blitz 70
Arthur Cook ‘My own love affair with the songs from the era started around the same time as my interest in militaria. We had a large garage at home filled with ex-military radio equipment and other delights such as magic lanterns and wind up record players. My Grandfather’s and father’s early Shellac 78 records were stored in this Aladdin’s cave of a garage, I used to go out on hot summer days and put on records by the Merry Macs, Glen Miller, George Formby, the Mills Brothers and a host of other well known artists from the 1930’s and 40’s. I still have the record player and records now and it still works!’ ‘It was around this time that I started investigating how mechanical things worked and developing repairing skills. I have subsequently, spent years finding abandoned old instruments, repairing them to bring them back to their former glory and I use these during our performances. ‘I have also spent many enjoyable hours working on of the songs I heard in my youth, giving them unique musical arrangements, with the most sympathetic treatment to the original tunes. ‘It gives me great pleasure at performances seeing the veterans and older generations singing along with songs, of the war years bringing back memories of their own youth.’
Arthur as Wilf Stubbs Home Guardsman and an American Medic
Developing New Ideas Developing WW II characters is a more recent thing that we’ve branched out into. Paul has recently joined us and been creating his character Chester Drawers, the local “spiv”. He has been studying how these “black market boundahs!” created smoking clubs for children, who, in return for a supply of smokes would be sent into bombed houses to loot the premises. The spivs knew that looting was a capital offence for an adult in wartime Britain, but was merely a cautioning, or at most a “birching” offence for a child.
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Chester Flogging Rationed Goods He has also looked at the role of the “Fence” and the “Pram Raider” and has a lot of fun with families as he tries to encourage them to buy Black-Market goods from his dodgy, vulcanised fibre suitcase.
Paul as Chester Drawers and Bernie Bridges
Paul Boeree ‘One of my favourite characters I perform as, is Chester Drawers, the Spiv. I talk to the children at events about how many sweets they could get with their sweet ration coupons and also give away war time sweets such as Kit-Kats with the wartime blue wrappers. I tell them about the old money too and how it it compares with today’s money, usually giving them an old wartime dated penny or threppeny bit as a keepsake.’ ‘The other main character I appear as, is Captain Bernie Bridges of the Royal Engineers. The uniform i wear is really comfortable and in incredibly good condition for something that is over 70 years old, it makes me look like I’m someone in authority. The audience sometimes gets quite a shock when they then see me dressed like this before a performance, then, when talking about egg rationing and keeping chickens during WW II whilst playing a ukulele bass, I’m making chicken noises!’
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Blitz and Peaces with John Butler from “On Parade” Living History Group Other characters that we’ve been working on recently are Winston Churchill and his most famous wartime speeches. I have been teased for years by the rest of the members about my resemblance to him, not least for my portliness and love of mimicking his voice.
Arthur as Winston Churchill
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Lesley in Dressed in A.T.S. Jungle Greens for the Burma Star Veterans
Lesley has been working on the vamp look and performance style of Marlene Dietrich, teasing the audiences with performances of Lili Marlene and Falling in Love Again Lesley Schlaefli ‘Social history will always be an interesting subject for many people. I think that the 1940’s holds a particular fascination, as there are so many facets to the period. Apart from the obvious fact that the Second World War took place, things such as the music, the fashions, the home front and the changing roles of women in particular all have a resonance today. Furthermore, most families still have a connection to this period via their parents or grandparents experiences.’ ‘As a singer amd historian with Blitz and Peaces, it is lovely to engage with people through music, especially with families where the older members are included and genuinely enjoy their trip down memory lane.’
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Blitz and Peaces at Castle Drogo
Lesley with Veterans
Lesley as an A.T.S. Major and a W.A.A.F. Wireless Operator By allowing people a hands-on, living history experience engaging them with the songs, characters, and feel of the home front in WW II, we hope that our audiences will enjoy the performances and share a greater understanding of what life was like in Britain during the war years. Even if they were not present during WW II, we hope to give them the feeling that they have had a real opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the “Home Front”.
Working with Museums and Living History We particularly enjoy working with Living History Societies, and Museums as we can work in conjunction with the staff and exhibits to bring a new dimension to a special event. We help publicise and promote events for these organisations from our website and occasionally with on-street leaflet distributions.
. Blitz and Peaces on the Watercress Line
. Lesley with Brixham Battery Living Historians
Working with Veterans Over the years we have met and performed for hundreds of veterans and people who were struggling against the privations of the Home Front. They have willingly shared tales of their own experiences during the war with us, some horrific, some tragic and some highly amusing! One of the things that these people have always said to us is that; whatever their experiences, they felt that the community spirit was stronger during the war years and whatever hardships they faced they felt alive and fulfilled, however small their part was in securing our future. It must never be forgotten that they also represent our diminishing first-hand, primary sources from this period of our social history and as they reach their twilight years, it is important to listen and learn from their experiences. By encouraging them to share their memories with us we can learn by past mistakes and facilitate generations to come. We have worked with many veteran’s charities over the years to help raise funds. D-Day Revisited, the Royal British Legion, the Royal Marines Association and Help for Heroes are a few that we regularly perform for.
. Lesley and Jane with Veterans at a Living History Event War Walks and Talks Over the last two years, we have been running War Walks in our home town of Exmouth in Devon. These run on Wednesday and some Sunday’s, when we are not performing. The talks last for an hour and a quarter follow a simple route round the town looking at Exmouth’s role in WW II and also looks at the changing face of the town then and now, as the town was attacked and bombed many times during the war. It has been well received by locals, schools and visitors to the town alike and is now well established. We also supply War Talks to clubs and societies all over Britain. Titles include, The Home Guard, The Home Front, Women’s Roles in WW II and Children and Evacuees Lives in Wartime Britain. More titles can be found at our website www.blitzandpeaces.co.uk.
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The “Perfect End to a Perfect Day!”
Books I regularly interview willing participants about their lives and experiences in the war and am now writing books for Halsgrove, Britain’s foremost publisher for books on local history.
. The books feature restored period photographs, testimony from eyewitnesses to events, anecdotal evidence and stunning technical studio photographs of period equipment and artefacts taken by John.
Published Books Information
Exmouth at War. By Arthur Cook. Halsgrove. ISBN 978 085704 071 8 Published: 06/10/2011.
An Illustrated History of the Home Guard. By Arthur Cook. Halsgrove. ISBN 978 0 85704 105 0 Published: date: 01/09/2011.
Current Book Projects are:
The A.R.P. and Civil Defence (working title) By Arthur Cook. Halsgrove. ISBN Publication date: September 2012.
Additional Information Radio We have our own Radio Show on Exmouth’s Bay F.M.(107.9 F.M.) community radio station. We produce 3 x 2 hour war-time shows a year for them White Christmas and Sentimental Journey. The shows feature live music and interviews with war veterans, local history, menus and above all humour. These shows are broadcast during Exmouth Festival and during Off Com test broadcasts, which will become weekly shows when the station in granted its full licence next year.
For More Information Please Contact.
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