The National Archives in the United Kingdom has launched an appeal for anyone with knowledge or memories of the world war two prisoner of war camp in Kew, Surrey, to come forward and share their story. The appeal is part of a project recently launched by The National Archives, whose offices now stand on the site of the former PoW camp, to rediscover the nature of life in wartime Kew.

Almost 2,000 Italian military personnel were held at Kew, situated approximately 16km from London, between 1940 and 1945. During their time there they interacted and struck up relationships with the local population, and some are said to have even returned after the war to marry their sweethearts.

The National Archives in conjunction with Kew Society and the Richmond Local History Society, is appealing to the ex-prisoners, or anyone who has knowledge of this time, to come forward with their stories and memories. The project and subsequent appeal coincides with the forthcoming 70th anniversary of the start of the world war two.

The city of Rome is helping The National Archives find these ex-prisoners by offering to put anyone who has information in contact with the organisation by sending an email entitled