Hampshire's secret collections of World War II memories

The project at Oxford University has encapsulated over 25,000 formerly undisclosed artefacts relating to the wartime experience in Hampshire.

This digital showcase, filled with stories and objects, became available to the public on June 6, 2024, through the project's website, theirfinesthour.org.

READ MORE: New book depicts Roman Winchester in 3D

The archive contains a range of stories of the everyday lives of those who experienced the war (Image: Supplied)

Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the free-to-access digital archive hopes to pass on the poignant human experiences of conflict to future generations.

The materials span both the extraordinary and mundane aspects of wartime, providing a deep dive into life during that turbulent period.

Among the tales are accounts of an eight-year-old boy gazing at aerial dogfights and witnessing the fiery barrage over Portsmouth and Southampton.

A returning teenage evacuee's struggle for survival amidst continual bombings, and the visceral, personal story of Patricia Phillips from Waterlooville, also bring to the archive vivid insights into the war's substantial toll on civilian life.

SEE MORE: Hampshire town D-Day casualties remembered on 80th anniversary

John Pearce, born and raised in Portsmouth, was conscripted in 1942 (Image: Supplied)

The experiences of military personnel such as Portsmouth-native John Pearce, who enlisted after being branded a coward with a white feather, and Victor Voller, who made a narrow escape during an evacuation from Crete, add another dimension to this comprehensive trove.

'Their Finest Hour' project, backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, depended heavily on the contribution of volunteers.

In 2023 and 2024, over 70 free events spanning the entire UK were held, allowing more than 2,000 people to preserve their narratives and memorabilia digitally.

People unable to attend brought their stories and artefacts to the fore through the project's website.ictor Voller made a narrow escape during an evacuation from Crete (Image: Supplied)

Dr. Stuart Lee, project director, said: "We’re delighted that we have been able to preserve so many of these stories and objects and make them available to the public through our archive of memories."

Dr. Matthew Kidd, project manager, said: "The success of the project would not have been possible without the voluntary effort of thousands of dedicated volunteers and contributors."