Boroughbridge in World War II

At the time of World War II, Boroughbridge was a small Yorkshire town with a population of some 2000 people. Though it was only a cog in the nation’s war machine in the fight against Germany and the Axis Powers, it undoubtedly made its contribution. Its history during that time is colourful and fascinating. Men from this small town and its surrounding villages fought and died in all theatres of the war and in all services. Men and women supported the war in a huge variety of ways. Children shared the tragedies and fascinations of the time. Boroughbridge’s strategic location on the Great North Road, its army camps which hosted so many troops throughout the war period, its nearness to Dishforth air base, and the Royal Canadian Air Force stationed there for much of the war, gave a distinctive character to the town’s participation in the war effort. Mike Tasker was born in Boroughbridge in 1936, so that these times were the backdrop to his earliest memories. Relying primarily on over 150 recent personal interviews, with extensive use of photos and written accounts kindly contributed by those involved and their relatives, along with his own recollections, Mike has assembled here over 250 sketches of men and women involved in the war, plus longer articles and a photo gallery, which add up to a vivid and fascinating portrayal for local people, and for anyone with an interest in the wartime and its effect in this part of the world. This second edition includes coverage of Minskip, more on the RCAF, more than 50 additional stories, and corrections.