Historical visit to Western Approaches - Thursday 6th November

On 7 February 1941, Combined Operations moved to Derby House at Exchange Flags because German aircraft and U-boats were attacking ships travelling in from the continent. The department became known as Western Approaches Command.

Join IIL for a guided tour of Western Approaches to hear about the hugely important and vital role that Derby House played in WW2. Staffed by women of the Women’s Royal Naval Service, affectionately known as Wrens, and the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, or Waafs. Often no more than girls, between the ages of 18 and 21, who had either volunteered to help the war effort and ‘do their bit’ or had been specifically recruited because of their mathematical or analytical abilities.

This is an opportunity to visit the wartime bunker that has been restored to exactly how it used to be and is open to the public as a memorial to those who died to save Britain and the rest of Europe. We will be able to take a step back into history to the original building where the battle was fought and won.

Our private guided tour has been created to include real stories from people who worked in the bunker. The tour offers a further insight into the history of the bunker, as well as the important work done – but some of the most fascinating detail comes from the personal stories which reveal what life was truly like living and working in secret under the streets of Liverpool.

The tour will cover the role of the facility in co-ordinating the Battle of the Atlantic. It looks at key personnel who worked in the bunker, what they did, what the rooms were used for and the importance of the work undertaken.

Tour duration approx. 1 hour 15 mins

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