New book: A County of Refuge: Refugees in Cumbria 1933-1941 by Rob David

"This timely well-illustrated book examines Cumbria’s response to the refugee crisis of the 1930s and early 1940s.  The author makes use of a wealth of archive material and oral testimony to demonstrate that at that time many Cumbrians welcomed refugee groups from Spain, Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia into their communities.  Central to the narrative are a number of determined women who lead Cumbria’s response to the arrival of these refugee communities.  Foremost amongst these is Catherine Marshall who moved from suffragist activity to internationalism and refugee issues during the 1930s, but other, less familiar names, such as Mary Crewdson, Lady Cecilia Roberts and Clara Boyle are introduced to the reader. 

Much was achieved with the support of voluntary organisations which enabled many more people to become involved with meeting the needs of refugees.  To provide context readers are introduced to a number of refugees and the stories behind their arrival in Britain. In addition the author draws on his own family’s experience as refugees.

A special feature is the analysis of the Enemy Alien Tribunal held at Whitehaven in 1939 which has been made possible by the rare survival amongst the Catherine Marshall papers of records relating to this event involving 37 Jewish refugees.  Attention is drawn to the significant contributions of many refugees to the county during the Second World War and throughout the post-war era.  At a time when refugee numbers are increasing and government and society’s attitudes are hardening against refugees, the book compares the attitudes of the 1930s to those of today."

The book is published by the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society.

Dr Rob David completed his doctorate at Lancaster University. Recently he has turned his attention to the study of minority groups who lived in Cumbria during periods of warfare in the twentieth century. He was Chair of Lancaster University’s Regional Heritage Centre’s Advisory Board from 2014-2019, and President of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society from 2017 to 2020.

The book costs £17 (£15 for members of CWAAS).  Please send a cheque payable to CWAAS along with your name and address to Ian Caruana, 10 Peter St, Carlisle, CA3 8QP (01228 544120; elizabethallnutt@btinternet.com)