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This exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, in partnership with Imperial War Museums (IWM) and with the support of the Art Fund. The Battle of Britain was a decisive air campaign fought over England during the summer and autumn of 1940.


This show explores how the lives of people in Rochdale changed as a result of a war that was to become the most destructive in history. Particular focus is given to women because of the important role they played. Whether it was by undertaking war work, volunteering or providing childcare, women have a story to tell.


Below are some of the exhibition highlights.

5 artworks
An Aerial Battle
Image credit: IWM (Imperial War Museums)

An Aerial Battle 1940

Francis Dodd (1874–1949)

Oil on canvas

H 55.8 x W 45.7 cm

IWM (Imperial War Museums)

Untitled
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: IWM (Imperial War Museums)

Untitled c.1940

Eileen Agar (1899–1991)

Gouache on board

H 34 x W 50 cm

IWM (Imperial War Museums)

Assembling_a_Hawker_Hurricane_1947_402_Elsie_Dalton_Hewland_jpg
Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery collection, gift of H.M. Government War Artists' Advisory Committee

On loan from Manchester Art Gallery

Assembling a Hawker Hurricane, 1940– 47 Elsie Dalton Hewland (1901–79) Oil on canvas

Eve Kirk (1900–1969)
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bridgeman Images

Eve Kirk (1900–1969) 1929

Augustus Edwin John (1878–1961)

Oil on canvas

H 91.5 x W 60 cm

Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

The Dancer and the Canary
Image credit: Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

The Dancer and the Canary late 1940s

Ethel Léontine Gabain (1883–1950)

Oil on canvas & board

H 50.5 x W 41 cm

Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

radio_jpg
Image credit: Collection of Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

Collection of Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

1940s Murphy radio

wedding_dress_jpg
Image credit: Collection of Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

Collection of Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

Wedding dress in RAF blue, 1941

The Trick Act

Laura Knight (1877–1970)

Oil on canvas

H 102 x W 127 cm

Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

brochure_jpg
Image credit: Collection of Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

Collection of Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

Exhibition brochure for ‘Through the Eyes of a Child’, Rochdale Art Gallery

We_can_do_it_War_s_Other_Voices_install_shot_JPG
Image credit: Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

Touchstones Rochdale

Exhibition space, gallery 1