Unlike earlier and later conflicts, the Two World wars involved everyone. There are still a few people left who remember the Second World War but it is rapidly fading from living memory and as the old die. Many of their precious memories and belongings are consigned to the tip as no-one is interested in them.
The Hull People’s Memorial is a small museum that has been set up to preserve this rapidly forgotten part of our heritage. Everything has been donated by people in Hull and the museum is run by a dedicated band of volunteers.
The museum is on what is now a rather run down street in Hull and, from the outside, looks rather like a shop. It is easy to miss. In fact I found it completely by accident, filling in time before catching a bus. It was a wonderful find and the highlight of my day out to Hull.
This is very much a hands on museum and the two volunteer staff were so enthusiastic, particularly talking to children about weapons and letting them handle the different guns.
Artefacts have been generously donated and there is everything from medals and hat badges to pre decimal coinage and examples of goods that might have been on sale at the time (and familiar to many of us of a ‘certain age’). The set tableau show an ARP post, an example of a field hospital and conditions in the trenches. I was particularly intrigued by the WW1 listening device used by the Tunnelling Corps of the Royal Engineers, which included a stethoscope…
The Museum is open 10-4 but closed on Sundays and Mondays. The museum and shop are disabled friendly although there isn’t a lot of room to move around in the museum section, particularly if there are a lot of visitors.
Entry is free, but they do ask for contributions if you have enjoyed it. It is definitely worth visiting and complements the other museums in Hull.
