• The team are looking to record oral histories with veterans from The Worcestershire Regiment, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, the Mercian Regiment and the Queens Own Worcester and Warwickshire Yeomanry.

• These stories will be presented as part of the new Worcestershire Soldier exhibition planned for The Commandery.

Veterans from the 1950s to the present day are invited to share their stories as part of the Worcestershire Soldier Gallery at The Commandery project. The Mercian Regiment Museum (Worcestershire), Museums Worcestershire and the Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum are working in partnership to develop the new gallery, funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The team are looking to add to the new exhibition with stories of recent service from jungle fighting in Malaya to peacekeeping in Belfast and Bosnia. Veterans who have served in any of the regular or reserve regiments between 1950 and present day, including The Worcestershire Regiment, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, the Mercian Regiment and the Queens Own Worcester and Warwickshire Yeomanry are invited to share their stories.

Emma Golby-Kirk, Oral Historian said: “We are keen to hear from those who served as either officers or in the non-commissioned ranks. First-hand accounts are essential for us to understand the experiences of those who served their country and as we approach significant anniversaries of the Second World War there is a narrow window to collect memories for the generation who undertook National Service for their country between 1948 and 1960.”

Dr John Paddock, Curator of the Mercian Regiment Museum said: “Some of stories we collect will be included in the new Worcestershire Soldier exhibition at The Commandery with all preserved in a digital archive. Oral histories are an important, and accessible, means for us to bring our exhibition to life as they tell the human stories behind the medals, weaponry and uniforms.”

Taking part is easy. A typical interview lasts between one and two hours and can be carried out at interviewee’s own homes, or in a local community centre or military venue.

Interested veterans should contact Emma Golby-Kirk via text or phone call: 07931 736739 OR via email emmagk9@outlook.com

The Oral History project is part of the Worcestershire Soldier at The Commandery project, funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will create an engaging and educational space that celebrates the rich military history of Worcestershire, with a focus on the experience of its soldiers. The project has also received generous support from the UK Government’s Townsfund.