Are you passionate about history/aircrafts/WWII Casualties?
Would you like to join a team who help preserve our nation’s history?
We (the AIR81 Project) are looking for volunteers who would like to be part of our AIR81 project. The project has been running for 8 years and we are looking to build on our team of existing volunteers who help us in preparing files for transfer to The National Archives.
The AIR81’s refer to a series of files created during the Second World War by the RAF whenever there was serious injury or loss of life associated with operational activity. They include a report of the initial loss/damage, aircraft type, squadron, target location, names of crew members, next of kin notifications and most importantly they include the human story behind the sorties, often containing personal artifacts that belonged to the crew such as identity disks, metal ID plates from aircrafts, photographs and copies of letters sent by family members to the air ministry asking for news of their lost loved one.
As such, they are of significant historical value and are of great interest to the public and a wide range of special interest groups. These files are currently in the process of being made public by being transferred to The National Archives. Because of the fragility of the files before they can be transferred, they go through a process of preparation to stabilise the file to ensure their long-term preservation.
What’s in it for you?
- Become part of a friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated team
- Based in the Naval Base in Portsmouth
- Personal satisfaction, opportunity to help preserve our nations heritage
- Learn new skills in preparing files to The National Archive standard
What’s involved?
Using standards set by The National Archives and specialist archival materials you will be shown how to handle fragile paper, photographs and other artifacts that may be present within the file. This will include the removal of metal such as paperclips, staples and pins from the files, and the use of polyester enclosures for photographs and damaged pages.
What skills do I need?
- Minimum 18 years old
- No prior experience needed all training will be given by a member of our records team.
Hours: Wednesdays 9am to 4pm
Restrictions: Baseline security clearance will be required to access the naval base
If this role appeals to you then please contact;
Michelle Tibble via DBS CIO-KI Recruitment Enquiries (MULTIUSER)
Email: DBSCIO-KIRecruitmentEnquiries@mod.gov.uk
who will forward an expression of interest application form.
