Re-Creations of Everyday WWII Life at Kentwell

Purpose of these Re-Creations

Kentwell's Re-Creations of WWII life attempt to re-create as faithfully as possible everyday life at Kentwell during WWII. Although there is always a service aspect, we tend to comcentrate more upon Civilian Life and the effect the War had upon everyday life.

We take great pains to get things right and be as authentic as we can. We seek to honour those who did so much and suffered greatly during WWII. We have welcomed some who were stationed here during the War and have been flattered that they consider our Re-Creation so realistic and accurate. For some we have just been the prompt to make memories come flooding back.

Number of WWII Weekend Re-Creations

We have just three WWII Weekend Re-Creations each year. None seeks to be on the massive scale of our very first WWII Re-Creation in 1995 for the 50th anniversary of VE Day.

General Shape of these Re-Creations

Each Re-Creation concentrates upon a different aspect of WWII Life.

That at Whitsun takes as its theme a 1940s Fundraising Fete. Raising money for the troops was a part of everyday life. Noit much money may have been raised (compared with the huge cost of the War) but it enabled every citizen to feel involved. [The money we raise from the Fete each year always goes to a Service Charity.]

That in August concentrates upon a whole range of Civil defence Exercises. We have the Home Guard drilling, at Bayonet Practice, (perhaps) trying an Assault Course, and at Battle School - a mock battle at which the poorly armed Home Guard practise their skills.

That In October re-creates the time whenb the Army requisitioned the Hall and Park. We make no attempt to re-create the Transit Camp in the Park on each side of the Avenue where the troops were stationed in Nissen Huts or the tanks, which were parked beneath the Avenue trees. For these Re-Creations we concentrate upon the House, which served as the Garrison for the Camp and as the Officers' Mess, and its immediate environs where a number of limited military activities took place.

Mr & Mrs Starkie Bence were permitted after requisitioning to remain in residence in part of the House (a concession not accorded to all those whose House was requisitioned), so there was a certain tension between the family andits (remaining staff) and the Army.

Otherwise there are always plenty of civilians .

List of WWII Weekend Re-Creations