A new book uncovers how the Second World War affected people in Meirionnydd, as Julie McNicholls Vale found out...

THE effects of the Second World War on the communities in west Meirionnydd are told in a new book Barmouth-based writer, Les Darbyshire.

Our Backyard War reveals the atmosphere in the area at the time, how people coped with their problems and the changeover from civilian to wartime mode in a world where many items and basic foodstuffs were suddenly rationed.

Containing the author’s own collection of photographs, this book gives readers a fresh insight on this period.

As well as Les Darbyshire’s images, there are also stories from those who lived and trained in the western areas of Meirionydd, incorporating the communities of the old district councils of Ffestiniog, Deudraeth, Barmouth and Tywyn.

Dr David Craik, lecturer in history and politics at Sandwell College, said: “As a career histories of 20th century conflicts, I have yet to read a volume of such rare depth and detail which places communities in the context of conflicts.”

In his foreword, Emeritus Professor Gwyn Thomas of Bangor said: “This work is an appropriate and worthy act of remembrance.”

Les Darbyshire was born at Manod, Blaenau Ffestiniog, but now lives in Barmouth.

His personal war effort includes working on the construction of Llanbedr Aerodrome and underground at Manod Slate Quarry to store and protect the National Art Gallery pictures from London.

He then became part of a team working at Morfa Conwy on a secret project, constructing Mulberry Harbours ready for the invasion of France on D-Day.

Les said: “Little has been written about the events and tribulations of west Meirionnydd during the Second World War, although the tranquillity of the area was shattered when war was declared on Germany.

“This part of the county became the nursery to produce troops ready for battle; its meagre manufacturing skills were harnessed to produce war materials and its natural resources of disused slate quarries used for the safekeeping of priceless national treasures and vital munitions.

“This narrative is not a historical record of the period, but tries to convey the general atmosphere of the time.

“What had been a small close-knit community suddenly saw the upheaval of families being split up with relatives ‘called up’ or directed to work in industries far away from home. Additionally, there was always the risk of an air raid or the dread of receiving a telegram saying that a loved one was either missing or had been killed.”

He went on: “Official records are not always available, and by now there are very few of us left who remember that period. Moreover, our memories unfortunately are not always accurate in the finer details.

“This volume hopefully chronicles the fact that Meirionnydd was not a quiet backwater during the war and shows how the area and its people contributed, in no small part, to the war effort.”

Our Backyard War, published by Y Lolfa, is available now (ISBN 9781784611323).