The Royal Artillery Museum is seeking volunteers to help capture and preserve the stories of the Gunner family — ensuring that experiences of service, conflict and military life are recorded for future generations.
The Museum’s Oral History Project focuses on gathering first-hand accounts from those who have served. From specific operations during times of war to training exercises and day-to-day military life, these stories form a vital part of the Regiment’s heritage — and many risk being lost if they are not recorded in time.
The importance of this work has already been powerfully demonstrated. In 2019, the Museum recorded an interview with Captain Leslie Gosling, who spoke about his experiences at the Battle of El Alamein. A clip from this interview was later featured in the Master Gunner’s El Alamein Day Broadcast — a reminder of the value of capturing these voices while we still can.
Originally spearheaded by a Museum volunteer, the project has continued to grow. With contributions from volunteers and guidance from BFBS (the British Forces Broadcasting Service), interviews have explored experiences ranging from Normandy and Korea to National Service, post-war service in Germany, and Bosnia. More recent contributions include members of King’s Troop talking about their role in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Among those interviewed were Francis Goode, who served with 4 (Durham) Survey Regiment in Normandy, and Molly Clarke and Grace Taylor, who told us about their time serving alongside the Royal Artillery as part of the ATS during the Second World War. Some of those who shared their stories are no longer with us — reinforcing just how important it is to continue this work.
With support from the RA Heritage Committee and funding from the Royal Artillery Institution (RAI), the Museum has appointed Archive Assistant Ali Stump to help take the project forward, building on the strong foundations already in place.
The next phase of the project will continue to seek participation from those who remember the immediate post-WW2 period, while also expanding to include more recent conflicts and the everyday life of today’s Gunners and their families. Alongside this, the team is developing shorter films for use online and in future museum displays, helping to bring these stories to life for new audiences.
Over time, the team hopes to build an archive that can be used for research, education and public engagement, and which represents every recent generation of Gunners.
To help take this work forward, the Museum is now recruiting volunteer interviewers and camera operators.
No prior experience is needed — training will be provided in interview techniques and the use of camera and sound equipment. The role offers a unique opportunity to meet members of the Gunner family, hear their stories first-hand, and contribute to preserving an important part of our shared history.
Recording these interviews will take place across the UK, although equipment is based at Larkhill, so volunteers located nearby would be particularly welcome.
More information on this role is available here