War history on display at Local Studies Fair (From Croydon Guardian)

War history on display at Local Studies Fair in Croydon

7:20am Saturday 11th September 2010 in News By Kirsty Whalley

History enthusiasts can learn more about the borough’s fascinating past by attending the Croydon Local Studies Fair on September 18.

Local historical societies will be represented and there will be talks during the afternoon celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, with a special display in the local studies section of the library.

Frank Anderson, from the Croydon Airport Society, will be on hand at noon to speak about aviation history in the borough and the lead up to WWII.

This will be followed by information on the vital role RAF Kenley played during the war.

Paul Fields will be looking at the impact of the Dunkirk evacuation and the Battle of Britain on the people of Croydon.

There will also be a talk about one of Croydon’s most distinguished sons, journalist and author Malcolm Muggeridge. His father was a councillor and he was educated at Selhurst High School for Boys. He served in military intelligence during WWII, where he interviewed PG Wodehouse who had been interred in Berlin.

Wodehouse also has a Croydon connection having been educated as a young boy at Elmhurst School.

The fair begins at 10am in the courtyard by the Clocktower in Katharine Street.