Conflicts

Both global conflicts of the 20th century had a profound impact on North East Lincolnshire. In both world wars, many Grimsby trawlers were requisitioned by the Admiralty to serve as minesweepers and patrol vessels. The area’s strong maritime connections also meant that a large number of local men and women served in the Royal Navy. Both Grimsby Local History Library and North East Lincolnshire Archives hold sources that relate to both the fishing vessels that saw service in the war and the crews who manned them.

One of the most poignant stories of the First World War is that of the 10^th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment, the Grimsby Chums. Many local men joined the “Chums”, and sadly a large number of these volunteers would lose their lives when the battalion suffered very high casualties on the Somme in 1916. Both the Local History Library and the Archives hold sources relating to the Grimsby Chums, including photographs and family papers.

During the Second World War, Grimsby had the dubious distinction of being the most bombed town in Lincolnshire. In total, nearly 200 people were killed in bombing raids on Grimsby and Cleethorpes during the war. Both the Local History Library and the Archives hold a variety of sources relating to the war on the Home Front, including casualty lists, reports on bombing raids, war damage forms, and plans of air raid shelters.

Photograph: May 1915, Farewell march from the Grimsby Chums, the 10th Lincolnshire Regiment, marching down Isaacs Hill and onto Grimsby Road. The cupola of the Old Cleethorpes library can be seen in the distance. 3rd Lincoln’s Band are leading the procession.