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Online archive of First World War documents launched by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust

Image: WW1 unidentified soldiers with dog. From the Black Watch Castle and Museum

75 participating collections make up the growing collection of online documents, which will eventually hold over 2 million items.

An online archive of historic British Army material has been launched today by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust (AMOT).

Funded by a LIBOR grant from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the platform gives users access to First World War documents, photographs, letters, and diaries held in Regimental Museums across the UK.

The archive already consists of over 75 participating collections with further additions planned next year. AMOT says the archive will eventually hold over 2 million items, covering the period 1900 to 1929.

A photo from First World War Personal Papers. Media from the AMOT collection.

The Hon. Mrs Katherine Swinfen Eady, Trustee of the Army Museums Ogilby Trust said the archive is “especially important as it will help us all further our knowledge and understanding of not just the military side of the First World War, but the social aspect of an event in history that affected and shaped this country and the world.”

Lieutenant General Sir Philip Trousdell, former Chairman of the Army Museums Ogilby Trust added: “The museums from which these archives have been mustered have rich collections of artefacts ready for you to examine.”

“This project honours the memories and experiences of those who served in the Army in ‘The War to End all Wars’, their families and their communities.”