Abstract West of London in Richmond and Twickenham, 6000 Belgian refugees developed a flourishing social life, drawn in the context of the national ‘shell crisis’ by employment opportunities at the Pelabon Munitions Works. This article asks why Belgian community life was richer here than almost anywhere else, and explores the significance of refugees’ social interaction for their class and other group identities. Finally, the article seeks to explain why this vast community became completely forgotten locally.

中文翻译：

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Pelabon Munitions 工厂和泰晤士河畔的比利时村庄：大都会郊区的社区和健忘

摘要 在伦敦西部的里士满和特威克纳姆，6000 名比利时难民在国家“空壳危机”的背景下通过 Pelabon Munitions Works 的就业机会发展了繁荣的社会生活。本文询问为什么比利时的社区生活几乎比其他任何地方都更丰富，并探讨难民的社会互动对其阶级和其他群体身份的重要性。最后，本文试图解释为什么这个庞大的社区在当地被完全遗忘。