Jump to content
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Donating History


pinevista

Recommended Posts

At 11am on September 6, 2013 I handed over my grandfather's WWI military documents, including his journal, to the Imperial War Museum. I feel a loss for I will not have the tangible paper that once connected me with my grandfather. I'll have the digital images but they do not house the same emotional attachment as physically holding a document once held by a loved one, especially his journal. It was through his journal that I got to know the man inside the holographic figure that I knew as Grampy.

Although I feel a loss, I know that I did the right thing. His papers are safe now and will be held together under his name Captain Fred G. Coxen. I brought the military part of my grandfather back home and returned a small piece of British history in the process.

My grandfather was born in Battersea and joined the RFA in 1905 at the age of 18. After 6 years he left active service and served in the RFA Reserves until called back to active service in 1914. He was assigned to the 40th Battery, 43rd Brigade which went to France with the BEF. As a Signaller his journal is very compelling as it details so many happenings in the early battles of the war.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was once a member of staff of the IWM Documents Department, and applaud your decision. The Museum's charter IIRC forbids it to part with any item donated to it, so they won't pop up in a sale room in 20 years time. Neither are they likely to be lost, destroyed by fire, stolen, or decay into oblivion which are some of the hazards of keeping documents at home; meantime hoping that the next generation, or the one after that, will value them in the same way as we do.

I'm sure you can also "visit" the papers when you feel the need to reconnect in that way. Meantime your relative has become a literal part of History, for others to look to as his words tell them what he saw and experienced.

Clive

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can understand how you feel but be assured you have done the right thing as your grandfather's records will be well looked after, shown to a wider audience and much appreciated. Well done. Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are right Clive and that was one of my motivating forces. I treasure them for he was my grandfather. But who would I hand them down too? Who would value them as I do? All I could do is picture someday they would be thrown out or placed into a garage sale. That would be a very sad ending for a soldier that served his country well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

RFA, I'm sure that you have done the right thing: an elderly gentleman of my acquaintance has a diary that his father, a private in a signallers section of a regular battalion that saw a huge amount of action, kept 1917-1919.

I think that I have prevailed upon him to have it photocopied/transcribed (which I have offered to arrange for him), and a copy given to the IWM where scholars interested in the particular unit can study it. It really hadn't occurred to him that he had an item which might be of more than sentimental value, which he certainly does.

William

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...