The Colchester: Then & Now project is part of a wider engagement and outreach programme, taking photographs from the Museum archives into the community and sharing them with older people’s groups. These include sheltered housing residents, care homes, day centres, and a Monday club at the Castle. Through these sessions, generously shared stories of wartime childhood and teenage years offered insight into Colchester’s social history during the Second World War. This display presents a cross-section of local voices alongside photographs and recordings capturing their experiences. Whether in Colchester or elsewhere during the war, their memories offer a unique window into daily life during those momentous years. We are grateful for their contributions and invite you to listen, reflect, and remember.