Thornbury – a Garrison Town, WW2

New exhibition:

Our district played an important, perhaps unexpected, role in the Second World War, as it hosted a significant military presence throughout the war years.

The exhibition looks at the various units which passed through the area and especially at Thornbury’s ‘own regiment’ – a little-known and unusual section of the Royal Artillery that was raised in the town and taken into the hearts of the residents.

What impact did the presence of hundreds of troops and the military aspects of the war have on the lives of the civilians?

The exhibition features personal accounts which remember the armed forces, the fall of Dunkirk, aircraft crashes, the arrival of the ‘Yanks’, the build-up and effects of D-Day, and much more.