Hidden WWII stories from Exeter and Devon come to life in new book

A new book is set to shed light on Devon life during the Second World War, revealing intimate accounts from residents and evacuees across the county. 

Devon’s Home Front Diaries, 1937 to 1945, compiled by historian Dr Todd Gray MBE, draws on decades of research into the Mass Observation archive, a unique project launched in 1937 that recorded the opinions and experiences of people across the UK.

Dr Gray, Honorary Fellow at the University of Exeter, has spent 18 years examining hundreds of diaries and questionnaires, meticulously documenting entries linked to Devon.

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Contributors ranged in age from 16 to 68 and came from diverse backgrounds, sharing their candid reflections on daily life, love, fear, and hope amid the backdrop of war.

“These writings offer an extraordinary glimpse into ordinary lives,” said Dr Gray. “They capture not only the challenges of wartime but also the social tensions, cultural differences, and moments of resilience that shaped communities in Devon. Many evacuees and refugees arrived here, and the diaries reflect both warm welcomes and difficult adjustments, as people navigated class, cultural, and emotional differences.”

The diaries also provide detailed local perspectives, from Plymouth residents describing brief air raids to Seaton inhabitants chronicling coastal fortifications. Observations about towns like Barnstaple and Tavistock reveal a mixture of pride, critique, and humour, offering a vivid portrait of the county during the 1930s and 1940s.

Dr Gray explained the relevance of these accounts today: “The experiences of anxiety, adaptation, and community cohesion during wartime resonate with contemporary discussions about social resilience and public response to crises.”

Dr Gray added: “It’s an honour to present the thoughts of so many individuals, ensuring that their experiences remain part of Devon’s history for generations to come.”

Devon’s Home Front Diaries will be available from 23 October via Stevens Books and is being launched with a public lecture at Sidford Village Hall at 2pm on the same day. The project represents a rare opportunity for a historian to introduce a previously untapped body of writing to the county, preserving voices that might otherwise have been lost.