Dr Barnett Stross Criticises Chamberlain and the Munich Pact 1942

Dr Stross addressed the Czech people – “The British people did not betray you, but would have gone to war on your behalf. It is not likely that the people of these islands will ever again allow any men to say that what happens in a far-off country to a free people is no concern of theirs.”

Reaching Out to the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia 1942

“Your hour of liberation is drawing near. Hold fast to your faith, faith in your own leaders in this country, faith in the miners of this country, faith in the United Nations who will again restore to you the liberty which you have lost and peace to this tortured world.”

Expressions of Discontent and Delight in The Potteries – 1942

Not everyone was happy with efforts to rebuild Lidice. An article, anonymously penned by “The Calcutta Statesman” and published in the Evening Sentinel in October 1942, was keen to point out Britain’s lack of obligation towards the Czech people

Crewe Creates Activities and Exhibitions in Support of Lidice – 1944

The campaign was realised when The Exhibition of Czecho-Slovakian Friendship opened at the Prudential Buildings on Monday the 9th of October 1944 by a Czechoslovak Army Captain, in the presence of Dr Victor Fischl, the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, an associate of Jan Masaryk, and a company of Czech infantry from nearby Cholmondeley Castle.

Lidice – The Total Annihilation of a Community 1942 – 1944

The physical deconstruction and erasure of the old village of Lidice took over two years of solid graft, was financially costly, and was paid for by the victims’ bank accounts. It was not until September the 25th, 1944, that Karl Frank could finally announce with much satisfaction that the clearing work had definitively ended.

Derby Lidice Week, Darley Park Rally, and the Flight Lieutenants – 1943

“We are here to swear that the name of Lidice shall live forever and be famous in every continent as the happiest village in the freest republic in the world. The aim of this meeting is to fulfil the splendid conception of Dr Stross and raise a fund by which Lidice shall be rebuilt to become one of the finest mining villages in the world…”