It was the year your city welcomed home prisoners of war who had experienced the horrors of conflict. Leeds Town Hall hosted a lunch party for more than 100 prisoners who had been repatriated. They were joined by their families at the event which was sponsored by the Yorkshire Evening News who organised a POW club. This was 1943 and main photo is one of 12 charting life around Leeds city centre during the year. Memories from the city’s Youth Week are also featured as well as a range of familiar landmarks and thoroughfares including Call Lane, Boar Lane, Infirmary Street, Park Row, Kirkgate and The Headrow. The photos are a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: Reliable photos take you back to Leeds city centre in 1949 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Leeds city centre
Guests at a lunch in Leeds Town Hall. This event was organised by the Yorkshire Evening News POW club for men who had returned in 1943. Some of them are seen here with their families. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Leeds city centre
An overview of lunch party in Leeds Town Hall in November 1943. This was sponsored by the Yorkshire Evening News who organised a POW club. In 1943 a number of prisoners were repatriated, the Yorkshire men came home on a Swedish liner, the 'Drottningholm'. They and their families are seen here, the waitresses are serving soup! | YPN Photo: YPN
3. Leeds city centre
Call Lane in September 1943. The junction with Kirkgate is on the far right, with The Mason's Arms (Tetley's Ales), at the end. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. Leeds city centre
Looking west along Boar Lane from Duncan Street, across the junction of Briggate and Lower Briggate. Tramlines and overhead power cables cross at the junction. The modern frontage of Saxone Shoes is on the right. Pictured in March 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. Leeds city centre
Looking north at the point where Infirmary Street, on the left, and Park Row, on the right, meet City Square. At the junction is The Standard Building which houses; Standard Life Assurance Co., British General Insurance and Barclays Bank Ltd. On the left is the General Post Office. Pictured in December 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
6. Leeds city centre
In the centre of the view is the Duchess of Kent, taking the final march past salute at the end of the Festival of Youth in November 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net