New additions to the Local Studies collection
Regular visitors to the Local Studies Library & Archive will know that we were closed for two weeks at the beginning of December. During this time, Local Studies staff were…
Christmas presents from the Colonies
For many years after the Second World War, food remained in short supply. Many organisations and individuals from former colonies chose to send food parcels to Britain, to show solidarity…
Follow the Drum: Go on the Die Hards!
The gripping story of the Middlesex Regiment at Neuve Chapelle continues as the local men face going over the top. The detail of this part of the battle is based…
Follow the Drum: Go on the Midds!
Using eye-witness accounts from some of the archive material that we hold, this month’s blog looks at the important role played by the Middlesex Regiment in a key battle of…
Follow the Drum: Changing roles on the Home Front
The Mabys Association. At the outbreak of war the role of women was very restricted in all levels of society, particularly for working women such as servants. The Metropolitan Association…
Planning an Invasion: Bushy Park’s D-Day contribution
Felix Lancashire, Archivist at Richmond Local Studies Library & Archive, relates the story of Camp Griffiss, Bushy Park, and its role in the planning of the D-Day landings in 1944. 71…
Follow the Drum: Spring 1915
Springtime on the Front As spring develops on the Front, Pte W. Boddy (8th (King’s Royal) Irish Hussars), a Richmond resident, writes enthusiastically about a slight improvement in the weather…
Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s letters
Felix Lancashire, Archivist at the Local Studies Library and Archive, describes their intriguing collection of items relating to Victorian novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Richmond upon Thames Library members can log-in to read more…
Cityread London comics workshop
Lara Bond, Heritage Assistant at Richmond Local Studies Library and Archive, describes an engaging, hands-on comic workshop for young people which took place at the Old Town Hall, Richmond as…
Follow the Drum: Experiencing the trenches
Life on the Western Front Local families would have been able to construct a picture of life in the trenches for their family members through their personal correspondence (though military…