Winston Churchill described 1942 as 'The Hinge of Fate' - a turning point at which the second world war could have been lost or won.

In Lancaster, people adapted to rationing, new laws and new roles supporting the war effort. Overseas, soldiers of the King's Own Royal Regiment were active in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Their bravery helped to change the outcome of the war.

Our 2022 project, The Hinge of Fate: Living with Uncertainty in 1942, explored the experiences of the people of Lancaster during this pivotal year when the tide began to turn in favour of an Allied victory. This project was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Follow the links below to discover more.

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  Patricia Owtram’s Story - Produced by UCLAN student Matt Jenkinson. 

Let us share with you the incredible story of Patricia Outram, one of two sisters involved in Codebreaking during the Second World War.

• Living in Limbo: Refugees in Lancaster Past and Present - Produced by Global Link

Imagine removing yourself and your family from everything and everyone you know. This video is the story of Friedl Kienzl, told by Global Link staff and volunteers seeking sanctuary in Lancaster.

• Eating for Victory 

Members of the Duke’s Theatre try out real ration recipes from the second world war – see how they got on!

• Evacuees: Seeking Safety in Lancaster

During Operation Pied Piper, millions of children were evacuated to smaller cities, towns, and the countryside. Many came to Lancaster.

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  Hinge of Fate Trail

Step outside the walls of the museum and take a virtual - or real - walk around Lancaster in 1942. 

Along the trail, experience Lancaster through important buildings and places where the war effort continued at home. We will see the faces of volunteers who fed and protected the city and follow the stories of children who fled to Lancaster as evacuees.

Learn how the people of Lancaster adapted and banded together to keep calm and carry on!

This trail was produced with the generous help of King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum volunteers, with support from Lancaster City Museum. It has been created as part of The Hinge of Fate: Living with Uncertainty in 1942 project, made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

• Hinge of Fate Virtual Exhibition 

This is a virtual tour of the exhibition which was displayed at Lancaster City Museum during the Hinge of Fate project. With 360° imaging, videos and more, this immersive experience brings to life the ways in which ordinary people responded to the uncertainty of 1942, overcoming loss, danger, worry and hardship.