Learning resources

The Battle of Britain

Investigate the historic Battle of Britain, which played out over the skies of southern England 80 years ago. 

The Battle of Britain, Roland Beamont
Watch these animations to find out what it was like from British pilot Roland Beamont and radar plotter Edith Kup during the Battle of Britain! 

Music and The Military

Explore military music which has played an important part in army life for thousands of years. From the early days as a signalling tool for communicating battle instructions out on the field to the daily drill of the bugle call to  propaganda, parades and pageantry! 

The Cold War

Learn about how the Cold War and communism divided a nation. Hear first hand accounts from British soldiers who were there and learn how they brought back a massive chunk of the Berlin Wall to Britain, which we have on display in the museum today! 

Dunkirk!

It’s over 80 years since the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. Members of the DCLI, were part of this famous rescue mission ‘Operation Dynamo’ which was made possible by hundreds of small boats sailing from UK shores to bring home the stranded soldiers.

Learn all about ‘The Little Ships’ and the extraordinary evacuation of Dunkirk.

Women At War

Women have played an important role in wartime and worked in many roles including; nurses, farmers, pilots, drivers, anti-aircraft gun operators, decoders and spies.

Explore these roles and celebrate women’s contribution to the war effort from Florence Nightingale to a female Territorial Army Medic working in Iraq. 

Victory in Europe Day

On May 8th 2020 the nation celebrated 75 years since VE Day. This date was etched in history as Prime Minister Winston Churchill went on national radio at 3pm and said that that the war in Europe had ended. 

Learn all about the street parties and celebrations, how it wasn’t quite the end of the Second World War and how Bodmin marked the occasion! 

Rationing and Dig for Victory

Learn all about food rationing during war time, hear all about ‘Dr Carrot‘ and ‘Potato Pete‘ and how people were encouraged to ‘Make Do and Mend!  

Blitz. Blackouts & Evacuation

Learn all about air raids and The Blitz, shelters people would make to keep themselves safe and all about the ‘Blackout’.  Find out what it was like being a child of war and evacuation.