A new community-led display at the RAF Museum Midlands explores the human cost of war and conflict. It brings together the personal experiences of civilians who endured the Second World War Blitz in West Bromwich and the wider Black Country, alongside the journeys of people displaced from Ukraine to the Midlands, following the 2014 and 2022 Russian invasions.
Told through photographs, archive material, personal testimonies and objects, the display connects these two periods of history through the experiences of Joyce Langford, who lived through the Blitz in the Black Country, and Daria Pyrozhenko, from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, who relocated to the UK in 2023.
Together, Joyce and Daria’s stories show how war can reshape civilian lives, often bringing injury and loss, destroying homes and livelihoods, and disrupting the fabric of communities. Their experience also highlights the endurance, resourcefulness and determination of ordinary people striving to protect their families, identity and community while under attack.
Joyce Langford recalled:
‘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.’
Co-created with community organisations and volunteers, the display explores themes of destruction, communication and community spirit. Discover how the destruction caused by bombing affected homes and infrastructure in the Black Country, and the impact of attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine. Compare how vital communication during times of crisis has evolved over time, from wartime letters and Air Raid Precautions messengers to today’s messaging apps and digital networks. See the powerful impact of community spirit, discovering how civilians have volunteered in essential roles, organising emergency shelter and food, and helping to restore power, clear damaged buildings, while supporting one another.
Daria Pyrozhenko describes the continuing reality of life in 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.’
Grace Ries, Head of Exhibitions and Interpretation at RAF Museum said:
‘What makes the Displaced Display particularly special is that it has been developed together with the communities whose experiences it explores. This is a community-led, co-created display, bringing together local histories of the Blitz with the lived experiences of Ukrainians who have made their homes in the Midlands. By sharing personal stories and working alongside community partners, we have been able to create a display that feels both deeply rooted in the history of this region and relevant to the world around us today.’
The Displaced Display was officially opened on 24 August, Ukraine Independence Day, with Daria Pyrozhenko and relatives of Joyce Langford in attendance. It has been made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and co-created with contributions from the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, Shropshire Supports Refugees, Sandwell Archives, the Express & Star and a team of Museum volunteers who contributed more than 100 hours research.
Entry to the Museum and viewing the display is free of charge, open daily from 10.00am.
