"Living through an extraordinary time" New exhibition looks at life during WWII from the viewpoint of children
A new exhibition looking at life during the Second World War in Portsmouth from the viewpoint of children has opened at The D-Day Story.
‘Fun, Fear and Familiarity: A Child’s View of Second World War Portsmouth’ brings together filmed interviews, archive photographs, and objects from the museum’s collection to capture what life was like for young people during the conflict.
In May and September, the museum team interviewed several people who lived in the city between 1939 and 1945. These interviews were filmed in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth’s School of Film, Media, and Creative Technologies and Portsmouth Libraries & Archive, ensuring these stories are preserved for future generations.
The interviewees grew up in areas across the city, including Farlington, Baffins, and Landport. Their memories include playing in bombed-out gardens, sheltering during air raids, and the excitement when the war finally ended.
The exhibition also features a section on war photographer Victor Stewart, the only photographer for Portsmouth’s local newspaper, The Evening News (now The News), during the Second World War.
The title ‘Fun, Fear and Familiarity’ comes from a quote by interviewee Bryan Fowles, who lived in Southsea. It reflects the children’s experiences; fear of wartime bombing, fun as many were unaware of the dangers, and familiarity as they adapted to life during the war.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: "This exhibition is a wonderful way to share the voices of Portsmouth people who lived through an extraordinary time in our city’s history. Preserving these memories is so important, not just for those who experienced them, but for future generations to understand what life was really like during the war.
"The D-Day Story continues to play a vital role in keeping our heritage alive, and I’d encourage everyone to visit and explore these fascinating stories."
The exhibition is free to visit and runs from December 13 2025 to January 12 2026. Normal admission charges apply to the rest of the museum.
For more information, visit theddaystory.com.