National Army Museum

This week we had a lecture on ‘War At The Museum’ given By Nat Wieczorek – Curator of costume & textiles at The National Army Museum. We were then given a brief where we were to be curators. We had to consider how we could curate our own mini exhibition with its own theme and narrative. Once visiting the National Army Museum we were to choose 3- 5 objects that we felt could relate to one chosen central theme.
We were then required to write our own labels for our chosen objects including a description and interpretation.
 

 

How Advertising for the Army has Changed Over Time

 

This exhibition will explore the theme of advertisment and recruitment for the Army, dating back to the 18th Century through to the 21st Century. The advertising techniques used to promote the Army has changed considerably, but still with the same purpose to inform, educate and motivate the public. Advertising reached its height during World War I and II and you will see in this exhibition what factors were particularly accentuated for promoting the Army, hence used for recruiting their men. The exhibition will consist of information about the positives of being in the Army, and also the sad, alongside some very powerful images.  

 

Gallery

 

The images in the gallery are photographs I took in The National Army Museum, some are clearly original forms of advirtising, and others are images I chose to make you think about the package that comes alongside joining the Army.

 

 

The Army Family

 

The Armed Forces recruitment goal is to recruit the required numbers of high calibre personnel, irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, religion or gender and without reference to social background or sexual orientation. Friendship forged in the Army are exceptional. Soldiers train, live and work together. They face dangerous enemies and life- threatening situations together. The Army relies on relationships and trust to function as a cohesive force. Soldiers can enter the Army from the age of 16. They train in drill, weapons handling, fieldcraft, navigation and core military skills. Joining the Army is like having a second family. The strong relationships and trust that are built within the Army are an aspect that is positively evident.

 

 

Recruiting Ethnic Minorities

 

 

Text on the bottom of the poster: 'Britain is a multi- racial country. It needs a multi- racial Army. Ring 0345 300 111 to find out how we're making the Army a better place for ethnic minorities to work. Or call 01252 334 850 to talk directly to a Black or Asian soldier'

 

This poster is an imitation of the 1914 recruitment poster depicting Lord Kitchener and the most famous image used in the British Army Recruitment Campaign Of WWI. This poster was encouraging ethnic minorities to join the Army, published by the Ministry of Defence, 1998. Kitchener's face has been replaced by that of Ghanian-born Captain Fedelix Datson of the Royal Artillery, and this is very significant as there was previously evidence of widespread racism within the force. This indicates how advertisement started to prioritise recruitment of multi- racial soldiers. This clearly isn't an advertisement from the 21st Century, however the Army is now trying to mirrow modern Britain's diverse society. Despite this, the largely unpopular recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have made it less appealing for British Muslims to join the Armed Forces. Prejudice is hard to break down and it takes time.

 

 

Separation

 

Of course when the Army is advertised, you don't hear about the negatives that come in the package, as these are never spoken about. Army life impacts the whole family, and being married to or having a father who is a soldier oftern means long periods of separation while a soldier serves in a conflict zone. Families live with a soldiers's unit, which can sometimes mean moving abroad. But you will always see the happy images of the soldiers who do return home, doing their families proud and doing their country proud.





Power & Status

A painting of Major- General, The Honourable Robert Monckton 1762.

 During the 18th Century, the idea of having power and status contributed to the attraction of joining the Forces. With the military uniform and the Nation behind you, this already helped the advertising to recruit young soldiers, suggesting authority. The uniform varied depending on what you did, an example being if you were a general officer then you would look very grand and imposing. In the 20th/21st Century, uniform isn't seen as a way of advertising the Forces. Everyone wears exactly the same, where every soldier is equal, and treated the same. 



Protecting Britan's Future

 

 

 

 Joining the Army is about working together with your workforce, looking out for each other and protecting Britain's future. This poster lists the criteria that a soldier needs to join the Army and also mentions value for money and best trained workforce in Britain. The aim of this poster is to inform, educate and motivate the public.