Image (above) taken from the Light Infantry Collection: Members of B Company on an RCL off Avdimou Beaches during Ex LION SUN
Light Infantry Collection Supporters
When I started at the museum in November part of my role was to set up a ‘Friends of the Museum’ scheme, to gain support during these challenging times for MOD funded museums. However, it soon became clear that I was not dealing with the usual ‘museum friends’, and the more I learned the more I realised how incredible the National Light Infantry Collection is, and how extremely lucky we were to have been given the honour of becoming its home.
In order to make the most of this collection it’s vital that we make it accessible to the people to whom it means the most, whether you are able to visit the museum or not. So, I did a U-turn in my planning, and my Friends of the Museum scheme has not only taken a step outside of the box, it has gone somewhat out of the window!
Instead, with the Light Infantry Collection as a foundation, I plan to build relationships between the museum and former Light Infantry men around the globe, so that we can not only preserve and display your heritage, but with your help, expand it. It’s incredibly important that you are able to engage with the collection even if you are unable to visit in person, and we hope that in return you will share your unique knowledge of the collection with us.
We would love to see the collection through your eyes, and I’d like to invite you now to get in touch and get involved – your memories, stories and intimate knowledge of these objects will bring the collection to life for generations to come. Some of you have already come forward to speak with us, and we are most grateful to you for sharing your sometimes personal and emotional memories.
I hope that you will continue to support us in our future plans and projects for your collection. With your help we can ensure that the collection grows, and reaches as many people as possible, so that they can be as touched and amazed by it as we are.
If you’d like to get involved in any way, please get in touch. We are also hoping to have a stand at the Shrewsbury reunion this year, so please come and find us to say hello!
Sophie Hodge
Marketing, Friends and Legacies