Gone but Not Forgotten

 

I arrived at work this morning and realised this was the last day that we would put up the Burma display today. It was a beautiful morning as we stood the display stands up and weighted them down ready for bank holiday visitors coming on site.

Although the panels have only been up for 4 weeks, they have withstood some typical August weather. From gusty winds to heavy rain, we have had it all. There has been only three days when we had to lay the exhibition panels onto the grass as it was too windy and unsafe to keep them upright.

Castle staff said that some visitors had come on site today specifically to see the exhibition, which is great. I even had a phonecall from Australia this morning from someone whose grandfather had been in the 4th Battalion out in Burma who asked if we could send her some photographs as she would be unable to see the display. Seemed a pretty good excuse!

Using our photographs and archive material to put this display together has been great fun. Ensuring that the right photographs were used to make an impact was essential, and making the connection between the outdoor display and the Castle site was equally important. Ensuring that all three Border Regiment battalions and the Cumberland Gunners were acknowledged within the text on this local display gave it relevance to the site. Very important.

The outdoor display worked well in the middle of coronavirus restrictions, with people walking safely round the panels without the concerns of social distancing. A successful experiment enabling us to commemorate VJ day and the Forgotten Army. The metal framework has been put away but we know that it will shortly be in use again. We couldn't have undertaken this project without the kind sponsorship of Bandoola Productions, whose CEO has a direct connection to the 2nd Battalion. The Forgotten Army were not forgotten.

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