When The War Is Over - University of Leeds Archive
Learn about the important role of Leeds University newspaper during the Second World War, from reporting on the role of women to publishing war poetry.
By Leeds University Library Galleries
University of Leeds Archive
Front cover of The Gryphon: Third Series, volume 5 issue 6 (1940-05/1940-05)Original Source: University of Leeds Special Collections
During the Second World War, as with the First, the University of Leeds student newspaper 'The Gryphon' provided students and graduates, from those studying at the university to those fighting on the front line, with both vital information and a sense of community.
Article entitled When War is Over (1939-11/1939-11)Original Source: University of Leeds Special Collections
In November 1939, just a few months after the outbreak of the Second World War, 'The Gryphon' published this article in which the writer details his friendship with a German man which has been cut short due to the outbreak of war.
He writes “When the war is over, and if I am still capable of doing so, I shall go to Essen once again. If he is no longer at his home, perhaps someone will be able to tell me where he lies. . . .”
Union Notes in the Gryphon February 1941 (1914-02/1914-02)Original Source: University of Leeds Special Collections
A few years later, in 1941, the Union Notes section of 'The Gryphon' reveals how the university is involved with the war effort in Leeds. This piece laments the restrictions imposed on women students, such as the hostel curfew of 9pm, especially since 90 per cent had volunteered for all night duty.
Photograph and biography of the Union President-Elect, Daphne Wilde (1941-05/1941-05)Original Source: University of Leeds Special Collections
Women were becoming more involved in all aspects of University Union life. The May 1941 edition proudly reports that “For the first time in history, Leeds University Union has elected a woman to its highest office. The reform of the constitution which made this possible was long overdue.”
Article on Leeds students broadcast to the Empire (1942-04/1942-04)Original Source: University of Leeds Special Collections
Daphne Wilde was one of the students who participated in a BBC broadcast 'On Young Shoulders' on the evening of the 17th March 1942 in which she and other students spoke about the effect of war on university life.
She stated “I believe that we fight Fascism just as much with the preservation of free thought and learning, as with tanks and planes”
Article on posthumously published volume of poetry entitle This Life, This Death by Thomas R Hodgson (1943-06/1943-06)Original Source: University of Leeds Special Collections
'The Gryphon' also published work from Leeds students and graduates who fought in the war. This article details the posthumously published volume of poetry 'This Life, This Death' by Thomas Rahilley Hodgson, a graduate of Leeds University, who was killed whilst flying on May 17th, 1941, at the age of twenty-six.
Here is one of his poems, printed and praised in the newspaper for its maturity.
On the opposite page to Hodgson's poetry is this escapist fictional work which describes a fantastical house offering respite for the weary traveller. Indeed, the newspaper not only focused on the war but provided an escape from reality, another key role it played during these dark times.
The items in this exhibition are from the University of Leeds Archive which preserves the records of the University of Leeds and its predecessors, giving us an insight into past University life.
The University of Leeds and predecessor student newspapers have been fully digitised. Search the newspapers here
See more highlights from our student newspapers here
