Cultural histories of the Second World War - drawn from the margins of the archive
Author & Researcher
Matthew Eaton writes about the people, objects, and unfinished paperwork that the official histories left behind. His work moves between archival research, narrative non-fiction, and the slower work of reading what survives.
Writing as Matthew Eaton; known to existing readers as Matt Eaton.
Bio
A patient reader of small documents
Matthew Eaton is an author and researcher whose work focuses on the lesser-explored cultural history of the Second World War — the civilian textures, the printed ephemera, the wartime objects that survived by accident rather than design.
He’s a PhD candidate researching entertainment within the military and its impact on troop morale. His thesis is based on organised entertainment provided to the British Army during the Italian campaign (1943-1945).
Entertainment played a central part in the experiences of servicemen during the Second World War and the British Army's policies towards this aspect of welfare reflect the importance placed on maintaining morale. Images of Vera Lynn, George Formby, and Tommy Trinder entertaining battle-weary troops have entered Britain's cultural memory and the mythology of the war. Whilst entertainment is often written about in the context of troop morale, few historians have explored this link in any detail. The topic of entertainment has been treated primarily in the context of social-history, but it can also help deepen our understanding of military history through the policies and experiences of citizen-soldiers serving within the British Army.
Matthew has worked with broadcast and media companies, like the BBC, Disney and Sky, all his career. He first became fascinated by troop entertainment after reading his Grandfather's diaries of his time in the RAF in East Africa and was struck by the amount of time he spent at the cinema, going to concerts, and generally trying not to be bored! Like many, he grew up watching It Ain't Half Hot Mum and wanted to find out more about those characters and the tension between recreational activities and the discipline of the Armed Forces.
His writing has grown out of more than a decade spent in regional archives, second-hand bookshops and the back rooms of small museums. He edits Historical Ephemera, a reader-supported newsletter, and his first book is due August 2026.
Writing as Matthew Eaton; known to existing readers as Matt Eaton. Same researcher, same material — just the byline he was always going to settle on.
New book - 13 August 2026
Madam V: Virginia Vernon’s War
Co-written with Professor Adam Fairclough
Virginia Vernon was responsible for the welfare of ENSA performers around the world during the Second World War. Her fluent French, a result of studying in Paris as a teenager, and her understanding of theatre after a successful career on Broadway made her an ideal candidate, so in 1939, the 46-year-old was recruited to bring morale-boosting entertainment to British troops in France. She soon discovered that “welfare” was a catch-all for many activities; much more than simply arranging accommodation for artistes and meeting performers on arrival.
Battling grief after the loss of her husband, contending with male chauvinism in the Army, and travelling through the most inhospitable places, along the way Madam V won the support and admiration of royalty, the military, and the stars of stage and screen, gaining a fearsome reputation for achieving the impossible. This new study tells the story of her wartime journey, from Arras in 1939 to V.J. Day in Rangoon.
Publication: 13 August 2026: The History Press
Historical Ephemera - a newsletter
Small finds from the margins of the archive, in your inbox
One overlooked aspect of the Second World War in each issue, read closely and set in context.
Field notes from Matthew’s research for his PhD and new book, plus the sources, leads and footnotes that don’t fit between hard covers.
Calm, considered, and bi-weekly. Free to read, free to forward, and the easiest place to be told of future events.
Recent articles include Nightingales & Nitroglycerine: the secret war of Eric Maschwitz, Entertaining the Forgotten Army, and the Quintessential Englishman: Leslie Howard’s wartime crusade and the mystery of flight 777.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click. Read the latest issues before you decide.
Media & Press
Interviews, review copies & festival enquiries
Matthew is available for interviews, festival appearances, podcasts, and bylined features tied to the August 2026 publication. Review copies are available on request via the publisher.
Press & interviews — For interviews and feature requests, write directly to press@mattheweaton.co.uk. Please include outlet, deadline, and angle.
Review copies — Bound proofs and finished copies are handled by The History Press’s publicity team. Forward requests to press@mattheweaton.co.uk and we’ll route them on
Festivals & events — Bookings for literary festivals, museum talks and academic panels are welcome. A short topic list and speaking history is available on request.