Dalton’s Far East War 1941-1945 is a Pop-Up Museum at 85, Market Street, Dalton-in-Furness. It tells a story of Dalton residents roles in the Armed Forces and on the home front in supporting the Allied efforts in the Far East and European World War 2 operational theatres.
The Museum will be open on 15th August and from 10am to 6pm and on Sunday 17th August from 12 noon to 2pm.
The Far East exhibits tell a story of actions at Imphal, India and in Burma in 1944 along with Singapore in 1941-42 and the challenges of being in captivity. The role of Furness built warships and submarines in the fight for freedom in the Far East at Madagascar, Indian Ocean, Okinawa and Indonesia is described. There’s a timeline of the Far East war’s major events and turning points.
Displays of military equipment used by British Japanese, Australian and American forces and letters from serving troops back to Barrow Grammar School and Dowdales School and verbal accounts of operations including flying in 25pounder guns in dakota aircraft round off the story.
Alongside the Far East War display are VE-Day commemorative displays showing a timeline, everyday life, how aerial bombing impacted on lives in Furness, the need for temporary camps to provide housing for bombed out residents.
Displays describe Scottish and American troops times in Dalton, their bases in the town, the roles Dalton residents played in helping billet evacuees throughout the war from Salford Leeds Liverpool London and the south east.
Pride of Place is a complete record of those not return to Dalton a display detailing the biographies of 49 people who gave everything which is authored by Ann Thurlow.
The display has been put together by Dalton community groups and Dalton with Newton Town Council and support from Cumbria Archives in Barrow, Unite and GMB trade unions, DCAG, Dalton Events and Environment and assistance of local businesses.
