Calm and Courageous
A new exhibition at Epping Forest District Museum in Waltham Abbey, ‘Calm and Courageous: The Second World War Home Front in the Epping Forest District,’ opens on Saturday 5 April 2025.
Second World Home Front
Marking 80 years since the Second World War came to an end in Europe on Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945, the exhibition tells the story of the Second World Home Front in the Epping Forest District of Essex through the themes of the War at Home, War Work, Defending the District, Service and the Wars End.
The Second World War touched every aspect of life. From 1940 to 1945, the people of the district endured attacks by bombs and rockets, evacuations of loved ones to safer, rural areas of the country, conscription and rationing of goods.
Stories of individuals
Using objects, stories and oral histories from the museum’s collection, as well as a selection donated from local history society, community groups and other district heritage sites, this exhibition tells the stories of individuals whose lives were transformed after war broke out in September 1939.
Items on display include a map showing where bombs fell in the Waltham Holy Cross District, photographs of the construction of American built airfield RAF Matching, fragments of planes from RAF Chipping Ongar in Willingale, and photographs of individuals up and down the district celebrating VE Day with parades, Thanksgiving services and street parties.
Epping Forest District Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 10am – 5pm. Museum entry is pay if and what you can, donations welcome.
The exhibition is open until 6 September 2025.
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