VETERANS and civilians are being invited to have their experiences of the war recorded for a history project.

The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO) in Woodstock is encouraging people who have lived through the war to talk about their recollections.

When historian Matthew Smaldon, 42, began volunteering at the museum four years ago, there were some recordings, but he has wanted to expand it.

There are, so far, recordings of about 30 people including soldiers, airman, sailors, prisoners of war and civilians.

These will create a sound archive of personal recollections to be used in future exhibitions and research.

Mr Smaldon said: “It’s important these stories are recorded.

“Unfortunately, so many people have passed on and their stories lost forever.

“Others have spoken to their family but most have not been recorded before, so it’s invaluable for future generations to have these first hand accounts.

“What we are looking to do is a long-scale project on Oxfordshire residents’ memories that can be made available in the future.

“You can do more with oral history in this day and age with audio clips.”

One man whom Mr Smaldon has interviewed is one of the few remaining veterans of the Arctic convoys, John Lloyd.

The 100-year-old lives in the grounds of Fallowfields Country House Hotel in Southmoor.

In his interview, Mr Lloyd speaks about his experiences aboard Paynter, an armed trawler that escorted the convoy PQ13 to the Russian port of Murmansk in March 1942.

He told the Oxford Mail: “PQ13 was one of the first convoys to help the Russians out, but it was savaged.

“We sailed to join up with the convoy but we came unstuck when a German bomber found us and dropped three bombs which fell astern – it shook me up but it was no problem.

“Before we joined it, we also hit an ice field, which did a bit of damage to the ship, and then the German destroyers came out.”

Of the 19 merchant ships that set sail in PQ13, five were lost, along with one of the escorts.

Mr Lloyd’s son Anthony, 71, explained why it is vital to record stories like his father’s.

He said: “It was an apocalyptic time in history and he was part of that.

“These are the life life feelings of people that were involved. The horrors, bravery and self-sacrifice were extraordinary.

“One just hopes it might move someone in the future to be less aggressive.”

Louisa Fagan, museum services assistant, added: “We are looking forward to providing people with a direct voice of experience that will be beneficial to the local community.”

Oxfordshire residents who want to take part can call Mr Smaldon on 01235 526734.