Cheshire Memories: Wartime memories of Czechs in the UK
A HISTORIAN is trying to identify this young girl, pictured at a war-time celebration in south Cheshire.
Neil Rees, who lives in Buckinghamshire, has been carrying out extensive research into the stories of the Czechoslovaks who were exiled to the UK during the Second World War.
He has already published a book about the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile in London and Buckinghamshire.
Mr Rees is now seeking information about the Czechoslovak army presence in Cholmondeley Park in 1940 and the Czechoslovak State Schools at Hinton Hall and Maesfen Hall.
His friend David Hayns, of Whitchurch, said: "Neil will be coming up to Cheshire in early October. While here, he'd love to speak to anyone who has personal memories, photographs or any other memorabilia connected with either the Czechoslovak army at Cholomondeley or the State Schools.
"Meanwhile, he is trying to identify the girl in this photograph, which comes from the album of a former Czechoslovak soldier.
"The picture was taken on September 28, 1940, at a party in Cholmondeley Park to celebrate St Vaclav's Day. We know St Vaclav, the patron saint of Bohemia and the Czechs, as St Wenceslas."
He added: "Anyone who is interested in the enormous amount of research that Neil has already undertaken can find out more on the website of the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile Research Society at www.czechsinexile.org.
"I would be grateful if anyone who would be interested in speaking to Neil when he comes to Cheshire, or who can identify the girl in the photograph, could contact me on 01948 860486 or david@hayns.com."
Older/Newer
« Chester Memories: Bygone era city shown in Victorian map | Chester Memories: Chester Lions Club looks back over the past 50 years »
My feed
Funny how every photo has its story. I have no idea how many Czechs were there in UK at that time but that enterprise is definitely a challenge. One day the story may be filmed.Who knows? Good luck!
Silly questions.. but is it Czechoslovak or Czechoslovakians?
Jack I think you can use both...