History? It's All Around Us!

 I have spent the morning in Hornsea 's museum of local history, located in several historic buildings right on the High Street ~

The buildings include an C18th farm house, on the left, and buildings related to Hornsea Pottery. As you'd expect there's a great deal about domestic and agricultural life, which my peasant genes connected with joyously ~

Above, the kitchen range. Below, the farm's Dairy. As both might have appeared in the C19th.

Of course, every community large or more modest in size, has its own connections with Britain's wars at home and overseas, with Hornsea being no exception to the rule. The museum has many exhibits dealing with the contribution the local population made to our country's war efforts in many conflicts. I'd like to share just a few with you if you don't mind ~

A direct link to the Burn family, tennants on the farm for over 300 years.

Serving in the 9th Lancers in the Boer War and in the Great War too.

Of course the Victorian period was the great age of the Volunteer Company. Several items in one display showcase the East Riding Yeomanry Artillery.

The unit's ammunition case c1870.

Cap badge and model of a member of the unit.

The typical Tommy went off to war in 1914 in this uniform.

I have never seen the Imperial Camel Corps commemorated in any local history museum, so a first for me!

Service for many men and women spanned both the Great War and WWII of course. More than any previous conflict, WWII was a total war involving every citizen in the country's war effort. So, the Home Front beyond Dad's Army should be commemorated too ~

The air raid shelter saved many a life I'm sure...

...though the 'home comforts' might be a bit on the basic side.

A few signs appropriate to my theme...

...this one in particular emphasising the danger posed even after a raid.

One feature of Hornsea is it's mere, a large body of fresh water, the largest in Yorkshire. The mere played it's part in the Great War as a base for the Royal Naval Air Service and their fight against the German's U Boat menace ~

The RNAS's seaplane, the Sopwith Baby operated on anti submarine patrols from the mere.

Flying an early biplane was far from a comfortable experience...

...with pilots and observers needing ample protection from the cold at altitude.

The RNAS had its own adapted buttons on its uniforms featuring not the anchor of the RN but the albatross!

Late in the war the RNAS and the RFC were merged to form the newest arm of service, the RAF.

Uniform of a sergeant in the RFC. The army's khaki would give way to the RAF's blue-grey.

The new service would have its own distinctive gallantry awards too. Though like much else they would be tarnished by pointless class divisions!

Of course as wargamers we should never forget that, unlike our games, war has an all too human cost ~

Separation from loved ones was a temporary trauma for many...

...but a permanent grief for all too many.

Our family has been spared that trauma gratefully but we can all take a moment to remember those who have not.

If you are ever in the area I'd really recommend a visit. At £5 it's a snip!