Join Leeds Museums in researching the WW1 Leeds Pals

On By leeds11

 

With the 100th anniversary of World War One fast approaching, Leeds Museums are offering volunteering opportunities to become a local history researcher.

English: The Leeds Pals Memorial on Breary Ban...
The Leeds Pals Memorial on Breary Banks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leeds Museums has teamed up with the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to research the history of the Leeds Pals – a regiment raised in Leeds, which trained in Nidderdale. The memorial at Breary Banks commemorates the more than 500 men from Leeds that died at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

2014 will be the one hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. In the nationalist fervour thousands of young men answered Lord Kitchener’s famous ‘call to arms’ and signed up to fight in the great adventure that would be “over by Christmas”. Men were encouraged to sign up with their pals – and many towns and cities raised Pals regiments. Leeds Pals were men and boys from Leeds who formed the 15th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment.

The lottery funded project will involve researching into the lives of the soldiers and their families. Researchers will use the collections of Leeds Museums & Galleries, Leeds Cemeteries, Leeds Central Library and other sources. Training will be provided to  make sure all volunteers have the skills for the fifteen month project.

A spokesperson for the project said:

“We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, reliable and trustworthy and have good communication skills.  Ideally they will enjoy meeting people, have an interest in the history of the First World War, have good IT skills as well as having a keen eye for detail and accuracy and be keen to learn. No qualifications or experience is required, as full training will be given.”

Volunteers will see their work contribute to the Leeds Museums & Galleries and Nidderdale AONB First World War Centenary Projects, giving them a unique opportunity to be directly involved with the commemoration of the centenary of the First World War.

More information about volunteering with Leeds Museums and Galleries can be found on the Council’s website here: www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/joininandsupport/Volunteer.aspx. An application form can be downloaded from the Documents section.

Alternatively contact  Wendy Breakwell, Volunteer Coordinator, on 0113 336 7393 to request an application form.

The closing date for applications is 10 January 2014.