About Us

The Centre could not have been established nor could it continue to thrive without the commitment and dedication of its Patrons, Trustees, Staff and Volunteers and without the support of its Benefactors. This section gives visitors more information about how the Centre was established, how it has developed since then and the people who have contributed to its success to-date.

The Centre is becoming a Mecca for authors working on Second World War books, for TV research, for Post-Graduate and Undergraduate researchers as well as for visitors, many of whom have Second World War life experience. In the Visitors' Book men and women have listed as their individual background, for example, Dunkirk, El Alamein, Cassino, D-Day, Arctic Convoys, SOE, the Liverpool Blitz, Munitions work, School evacuation, Bomber Command raids over the Ruhr, Far East POW captivity or perhaps, even more soberingly, Auschwitz.

Something like twenty published books have the Centre as one of their research sources with the most recent authors being Barry Turner, James Holland, Ken Tout, Matthew Parker [who has lectured this year(2004) for the Centre at the Royal Hospital Chelsea], Dan van der Vat and Patrick Delaforce.

The Centre’s Life President, Dr Peter Liddle's new book on D-Day, "D-Day by those who were there" gives the best possible indication of the documentary riches within the Centre's holdings.

The Centre has also made a contribution to several national and regional TV programmes as well as on BBC and commercial radio, in the National and local Press and in such magazines as Choice, Saga, or Family History. Regularly around the country, talks on the Centre's work are given by the Director, staff and volunteers. In most regions there is a local representative who will collect and deliver material, tape-record recollections and speak to gatherings about the exciting work being done in Horsforth, Leeds to preserve our precious 1939-45 heritage.

There is a large team of volunteers both local to Leeds and further afield. If you would like to join us please contact us at the Centre.

The Centre is based in Horsforth, Leeds, U.K. We currently welcome visitors by appointment only and should you wish to visit to conduct research or to present a donation of documentation or memorabilia in person, please contact the Centre.