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Past Meets Present as Ministry of Defence opens its doors

Published Wednesday 23rd February 2005

A School Student from Archbishop Tenison's School, Lambeth tries on a WWII Flying Suit

Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Mike Walker (3rd from right) with Veterans at the commemorative Second World War exhibition

Veterans' Minister, Ivor Caplin and Secretary of State, Geoff Hoon view the exhibits in the Embankment Atrium

The MoD has opened the doors of its headquarters to public groups for the first time on 22 February 2005 to host a commemorative Second World War exhibition.

School parties were invited to view the Imperial War Museum's "Their Past Your Future" travelling exhibition, which will be on display at the Ministry of Defence's central London location for three weeks.

The exhibition is part of a £10 million Their Past Your Future programme of commemorative and educational events developed with the Big Lottery Fund to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

At the core of the exhibition are personal stories that look at how people kept their families safe, how wartime experience changed people's lives and how people remember those they lost.

Veterans' Minister, Ivor Caplin MP, said:

"This important project is a celebration of the achievements of British and Commonwealth veterans and their success in defending the freedom we enjoy today.

"The project combines education and commemoration in a way that serves veterans, children and local communities across the country and helps to pass on the baton of remembrance to future generations.

"It is our hope that collaborative projects such as these will enhance the knowledge and appreciation of veterans and the contribution their sacrifices have made to society today."

Nine replica exhibitions will visit over 70 different venues across the UK, and over three million visitors are expected to tour the exhibion over the next 15 months. Ivor Caplin said:

"The exhibition will encourage younger generations to understand and appreciate the significance of the Second World War through shared learning with veterans.

"This is a unique opportunity for people across the country to experience this important exhibition and increase awareness in society of veterans' contributions to the freedom we enjoy today."

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