I have been recording and researching the anti-invasion defences of East Yorkshire, or the East Riding as it was during the Second World War, for over 20 years now. My focus has been on Filey Bay, Flamborough Head and Bridlington. However, I now intend to extend the survey area to encompass the whole of East Yorkshire.

So far, all my research has been self-funded with the fieldwork itself being relatively low cost. I am now undertaking research into the documentary record, which involves visits to the National Archives in Kew, or hiring independent researchers, to gain copies of the required War Diaries and Command files to help build up the picture of the defences of the county during the Second World War. A key aspect of the project is also interpreting period aerial photographs to plot the extent of the wartime defences. The aerial photographs themselves are rather expensive to purchase at the resolution required for interpretation. This research is becoming quite costly now and given my current situation will become too costly to undertake without some form of funding.

My research is important as no one else has decided to research the story of the units deployed to East Yorkshire to defend the county from the invasion threat from 1940 to 1943. I believe telling the story of the Regular and Territorial Army units deployed to East Yorkshire is vitally important and will help to demonstrate what the soldiers went through when deployed on active service in East Yorkshire. My research so far is showing that the story waiting to be told is much more detailed and fascinating than many people realise and this will help us to better understand the threat of invasion during the Second World War.

I intend to eventually write a book on the subject and currently write social media content outlining my findings as I go along. Also, all findings from the project will be sent to the relevant Historic Environment Record.

The money donated would help me bring my project to fruition and gain copies of the documents I require to tell the now forgotten story of the army units deployed across East Yorkshire during the Second World War.

Donations will be used to fund the following research phases-

Phase 1:

-Identify units deployed within the Home Forces of East Yorkshire between 1940 to late 1941.

-Build up a phased Order of Battle for Infantry units within the county from Command to Battalion level, tracing the development of unit organisation and deployment during the specified period of 1940 to late 1941.

-Assess the range of available documents and source relevant documents, including War Diaries and Command files from the National Archives, either through personal visits or by hiring researchers on my behalf. Also fund transcription of any handwritten documents.

-Map the information presented within these files and assess information such as standing orders, weapon allotments, and key events.

-Identify Royal Engineer Field Companies and Royal Artillery units deployed within East Yorkshire, and if possible source their War Diaries.

-Once the Order of Battle has been drawn up for the specified period and unit movements mapped, write up the results for publication.

Phase 2:

-If not already completed, source the relevant documents for Royal Engineer and Royal Artillery units. Map their distributions and movements.

-Extend the period of research to include the period 1939 to 1940 and further the Order of Battle, source relevant documents and map movements for assessment of the pre-1940 invasion threat period.

Phase 3:

-If funding permits, continue the research to encompass the period of 1942 to 1943, continuing the Order of Battle, sourcing of documents and mapping of unit movements to assess the post-invasion threat period and drawing down of the defence within the county.

Phase 4:

-Rest and maybe even run a guided walk and a job well done.