A Council at War: Whickham Urban District Council 1939-45

Pears, Richard

Abstract

This article will examine the responses to the dangers of the Second World War by a local authority in north-east England, Whickham Urban District Council. Councillors and officials received guidance from central Government, Durham County Council and from military authorities to prepare for the anticipated effects of total war, including invasion, bombing and chemical warfare against the civilian population. Detailed monthly reports to the Urban District Council reveal the extensive and expensive preparations made by the Council to counter these threats. Newspaper articles demonstrate the willingness of inhabitants to support the Council and participate in patriotic initiatives including voluntary work and fundraising.

Citation

Pears, R. (2019). A Council at War: Whickham Urban District Council 1939-45. Northern History, 56(1-2), 117-137. https://doi.org/10.1080/0078172x.2019.1660065

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 31, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Sep 13, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019
• Deposit Date: Jul 31, 2019
• Journal: Northern History
• Print ISSN: 0078-172X
• Electronic ISSN: 1745-8706
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 56
• Issue: 1-2
• Pages: 117-137
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0078172x.2019.1660065