‘Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’ (Winston Churchill, Prime Minister). In 1939, the lessons of the Great War were soon forgotten when Hitler invaded Poland and Britain stepped up to defend Europe from expanding Nazi rule. By the time war ended in 1945, over 55 million servicemen and women, civilians and prisoners of war had died in a conflict involving 104 countries. From the Battle of Britain to the Blitz, VE Day to evacuees, Luftwaffe to the Land Girls, Hurricanes to the Home Guard and ration book coupons to the Commonwealth, understanding the causes, conflicts and collective effects of World War II is vital in order to appreciate the enormous sacrifice made by the millions who died and whose memory must be honoured each Remembrance Day.