Britain's Greatest Generation

Original version

BBC Four

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

BBC 4

BBC Two England

England

BBC Two Scotland

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Four HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Steve Humphries

Nick Maddocks

undefined Testimony Films

Vera Price

Hetty Bower

Freddie Hunn

Diana Athill

Jim Purcell

Gus Bialick

Connie Hoe

George Johnson

Margaret Rhodes

Matt Mackinnon-Pattison

Eileen Younghusband

Britain's Greatest Generation: Episode 1: Coming of Age

Documentaries

Coming of Age

Episode 1

Episode 1: Coming of Age

BBC Two - Britain's Greatest Generation, Coming of Age

Documentary about the extraordinary last survivors who fought or lived through WWII.

Documentary that tells the stories of the extraordinary last survivors of the generation who fought or lived through World War II and are now in their 90s and 100s.

We meet some of the extraordinary last survivors of the generation who fought or lived through World War II. Now in their nineties and hundreds - the oldest is 110 - they come from both rich and poor backgrounds. We find out how these men and women of Britain's Greatest Generation were shaped by their childhood experiences.

For no generation of Britons in modern history has war been such a defining feature than in the lives of those born just before, during, or soon after the First World War. The euphoria of victory in 1918 had imbued many with an overwhelming sense of patriotism and pride in Britain that would remain deep-rooted for years to come.

But national unity was seriously tested in the 1920s and 30s, as Britain became a country riven with class conflict and inequality. As unemployment soared, there was widespread civil unrest. 

Despite these upheavals, those growing up in the interwar years remember much that was positive about life in Britain at the time. Their stories reveal that personal qualities of courage, initiative, obedience and fairness - seeded by parents of all classes - were highly valued. Most strikingly, they shared a delight in exercising freedom and independence - attributes that would come in useful as another world war approached.

When war broke out in September 1939, the men and women of this generation had just come of age and were ready to risk their lives for their country. But the evacuation of the British Army from the beaches of Dunkirk was a wake-up call for those who expected a swift victory. By the summer of 1940, Britain stood alone, with the Nazis massed across the English Channel. The Battle of Britain was about to begin - and the men and women of Britain's Greatest Generation were ready to fight it.

BBC Two

BBC Two is a TV channel that started broadcasting on the 20th April 1964.

BBC 2

BBC2

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Factual: History

Documentary series about the extraordinary last survivors who fought or lived through WWII

Documentary series that tells the stories of the extraordinary last survivors of the generation who fought or lived through World War II

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Britain's Greatest Generation

Episode 1: Coming of Age

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Four

About BBC Four