About

Find out more about the making of our latest exhibition, Great Escapes.

During the Second World War hundreds of thousands of people were held in captivity. Service personnel captured in conflict became prisoners of war, and civilians, including women and children, were confined in internment camps. Nearly all sought some kind of escape, from successfully breaking out of camps to finding solace in setting up theatre performances, writing to loved ones, secretly producing artworks, and falling in love.

Great Escapes tells the remarkable stories behind these acts of resistance and resilience of people from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth who fell into enemy hands, and of people imprisoned by the British.

The talk will be followed by an opportunity to view additional documents not on display in the exhibition.