Remembering the Overlooked – Family Stories, Forgotten Wars, and the Ties That Bind
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In this episode of Spotlight on Heritage, we’re joined once again by local historian and long-standing contributor Sue Lester of the Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, the conversation turns to the importance of personal memory, community archives, and the subtle but powerful stories that rarely make it into the mainstream of public commemoration.
Sue brings her wealth of experience to bear on the challenges and rewards of tracing family military histories—from the trenches of World War I to the overlooked frontlines of Korea. With stories of her own family’s roles during wartime, and reflections on the shift from public remembrance to more personal, place-based heritage work, Sue helps us think about how our understanding of the past is shaped not just by what is remembered, but by who chooses to remember—and how.
John shares updates on his long-term family history project, reflecting on the evolving emotional impact of uncovering stories previously hidden in plain sight—such as relatives who survived conflict, or those who were lost in the months after the guns fell silent. What emerges is a moving portrait of how family research becomes an act of recovery, both personal and cultural.
We also discuss the practicalities and techniques of tracing wartime ancestors, including how to interpret military records, understand regimental movements, and navigate contradictory information—such as uniforms that don’t match service records, or different regiments appearing in photos and official documents. Sue offers insight into how the Family History Society supports visitors, from beginner researchers to more experienced genealogists, and the value of digging sideways through family trees rather than always pushing back in time.
Rob offers a wider reflection on how heritage and identity are handled in the modern age—how some stories become celebrated while others are quietly set aside, and why common heritage can sometimes feel muted or unrecognised in a culture that increasingly privileges novelty or exceptionalism. He challenges us to think about how everyday heritage can be made visible again, particularly for those whose stories were never intended to be preserved.
We round out the conversation by looking ahead: how can heritage projects engage newer communities in Leicester, including those from African, Caribbean, South Asian, and East Asian backgrounds? And how can oral histories and intergenerational storytelling be supported, especially when traditional records may not exist?
The message is clear: heritage doesn’t have to be distant. It lives in the photos in your drawer, the street names in your memory, and the voices of those who still remember. As Sue reminds us, even one conversation, one discovered photo, one recalled name, can open up a world of shared history.
Listen now to Spotlight on Heritage on Soar Sound or wherever you get your podcasts—and consider what stories might be waiting in your own family to be rediscovered.
Spotlight on Heritage is a programme dedicated to exploring the layered histories of Leicester and beyond. If you have a story, project, or memory you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you.
