Ever since the Great War of 1914 – 1918 the southern English county of Dorset has been home to the Royal Armoured Corps. During the second world war the need to train the British and American troops in preparation for the D-Day landings led the War Ministry in 1943 to acquire the small hamlet of Tyneham which was close to the existing firing ranges. The villagers were given 28 days notice to leave their homes and farms. When the villagers left they pinned a note to the door of St. Mary's church which read:

'Please treat the church and houses with care; we have given up our homes where many of us lived for generations to help win the war to keep men free. We shall return one day and thank you for treating the village kindly.'

Despite promises made in December 1943 to the villagers that they would be able to return, in 1947 the Ministry of Defence went back on it’s word and the village was left abandoned. For many years no one was permitted access to the village even when the ranges were not in use thus preventing the villagers even attending the graves of departed family members. Since 1975 the lost village of Tyneham has been accessible by the public during periods when firing is not taking place. The village school and St Mary’s church have been converted into museums.