From the Blitz to Ukraine: Stories of Displacement explores the human impact of war and conflict through the experiences of civilians separated by place and time, but connected by experiences of destruction, displacement and resilience.
The display brings together stories of people who lived through the Second World War Blitz in West Bromwich and the wider Black Country with the experiences of people displaced from Ukraine to the Midlands following the Russian invasions of 2014 and 2022.
Through photographs, archive material, personal testimonies and objects, Stories of Displacement explores what happens when conflict reaches into homes, neighbourhoods and everyday lives. At the heart of the display are the stories of two women: Joyce Langford, who experienced the Blitz as a child in the Black Country, and Daria Pyrozhenko, from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, who relocated to the UK in 2023.
Their experiences reveal some of the ways in which war reshapes civilian life: causing injury and loss, destroying homes and livelihoods, separating families and disrupting communities. They also demonstrate the endurance, resourcefulness and determination of people seeking to protect their families, identities and communities in times of crisis.
Joyce remembers taking shelter during air raids:
‘The sirens went off and Mum used to run with me in her arms, and the old lady next door and go into the air raid shelter. You had one air raid shelter between two or three houses.’
The display explores three interconnected themes: destruction, communication and community spirit.
Discover how bombing affected homes and infrastructure across the Black Country and consider this alongside the continuing impact of attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine. Explore how communication in times of crisis has changed, from wartime letters and Air Raid Precautions messengers to messaging apps and digital networks.
The display also considers the importance of community spirit in times of conflict. Across both periods, civilians have taken on essential roles: finding shelter and food, helping neighbours, clearing damaged buildings, restoring vital services and supporting one another through uncertainty and loss.
For Daria, the effects of war remain part of everyday life in her home city of Kharkiv:
‘Nowadays, the city is under constant attack, and destruction has become part of the everyday landscape. Yet the people who remain still deeply cherish the beauty and history of their remarkable town, finding small moments of peace and creating their own moments of happiness in daily life.’
Stories of Displacement has been shaped by the communities whose experiences it explores. By bringing local memories of the Blitz into conversation with the lived experiences of Ukrainians who have made their homes in the Midlands, the display connects the history of this region with events continuing to shape lives today.
Developed through more than 100 hours of volunteer research, Displaced was co-created with contributions from the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, Shropshire Supports Refugees, Sandwell Archives, the Express & Star and RAF Museum volunteers.
The display has been made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
