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
7. Leeds city centre
An elevated view showing traffic on The Headrow, taken from the junction with Park Row and Cookridge Street. The edifices of The Town Hall, Municipal Buildings, Art Gallery and The Bank of England can be seen, as well as the War Memorial. Pictured in October 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
8. Leeds city centre
Shops on Kirkgate at the end of Central Road. Stephenson's butchers, Cable shoes, Jackson and Son Ltd. confectioners, "Browns" and Hitchen and Son Ltd. fancy drapers shown. Pictured in November 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
9. Leeds city centre
A view looking west along Kirkgate showing shops at nos. 126 -135 Cable Shoes, W. Jackson and Son Ltd. confectioners, Brown's footwear (closing down) and Hitchen and Sons Ltd. fancy drapers. Pictured in November 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
10. Leeds city centre
A view of nos. 126, 127 and 127A on Kirkgate, Cable Shoes, W. Jackson and Son Ltd. confectioners, Brown's footwear (closing down). Pictured in November 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
11. Leeds city centre
POW lunch at Leeds Town Hall in November 1943. More the 100 repatriated POW and their families were entertained to lunch. The Lord Mayor Miss Jessie B. Kitson is making a speech of welcome, on her right is Mr F. Heywood. He was General Manager of the Yorkshire Evening News, who had sponsored the event and ran the POW club. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
12. Leeds city centre
Paul Jones Flag, The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Miss Jessie Beatrice Kitson on the left and Lady Mayoress, Miss Elinor (Ella) Gertrude Lupton are putting their stiches on the flag. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net