Citizens of the British empire made a major contribution to the Second World War, but their role has not always been properly recognised. The Herbert outreach team has been working on a project reflecting the wartime experiences of Coventry people from black and Asian backgrounds.

Seventeen local people were interviewed for the project and shared their fascinating personal stories. Some had served in the armed forces and told of battles and bomb disposal work. One Sikh soldier escaped from an Italian prisoner of war camp and had lively stories about his secret trek to find his regiment.

"We were in the path of Italian fighter planes, they would come over. It was dangerous - you have to be very alert and aware at all times. We never got a good night's rest."
Mr Sagar

Some interviewees were children during the war and had vivid but harrowing memories. One fled from Burma to India on foot and another was interned in a Singapore prison. Others recalled blackouts and rationing in India and the Caribbean, and family experiences in the Coventry blitz.

"The Japanese were all over and it wasn’t safe at all. We had to leave Mandalay and come to India and since it was not safe to come by sea we had to walk. It was a very horrific experience."
Mrs Chand Lal Sarin

The interviews were used to create a film which was shown at the Herbert from October to November 2005. They have also been developed into an educational CDROM which will be launched in autumn 2011. It includes curriculum links and learning resources for Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 developed by Coventry LEA's History Advisors, plus a wealth of archive film and images from the Imperial War Museum. The CDROM will be distributed free to all Coventry LEA schools but will also be available to buy. In addition, schools and community organisations can borrow a portable exhibition based on the interviews.

For more information about the project, call Stacey Bains on 024 7629 4766 or email stacey.bains@theherbert.org