Schools: World War II Anniversary

Lord Boateng Excerpts

Thursday 30th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I agree wholeheartedly with the noble Lord that the 100-year commemoration of the First World War was indeed powerful. Whether through activities in schools, conversations in the home with older relatives or the work of some of our fabulous museums, such as the Imperial War Museum, I wholeheartedly agree with him that living history is a hugely powerful way for children to gain an understanding of the past. Sadly, we will soon be at the point where we will not have the voices of people who experienced the Second World War, whether as veterans or as children. I am very clear that that should be incorporated into how schools, and we more broadly, mark these important 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day.

[Lord Boateng (Lab)]

My Lords, I declare my interest as chair of the Memorial Gates foundation. Over 600,000 African service men and women served alongside the British forces in World War II. Some are still living, including Warrant Officer Joseph Hammond, who served in the “Forgotten” Fourteenth Army in Burma. Will she meet with the foundation, the legion and others concerned to see how we can best facilitate the witnesses who are still living to make their contribution to the education of young people during the 80th anniversary?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

We are keen at DCMS and across government to make sure that all voices are heard. I would be very happy to meet the organisations my noble friend has raised. We are clear that there were a huge number of troops and people deployed and that their voices and stories should be part of the commemoration of these important events.