From helm to Helmand: to what extent are Portsmouth’s naval heritage collections addressing the reality of military conflict?

TL;DRAbstract

As a nation which has engaged in conflict on these shores and abroad for the past two thousand years, Britain’s military history and heritage is vast. From the past and physical monumental defences which spread from coast to coast, to the pageantry of Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and to the phrases in our language which owe much to our military ancestors. This project assesses one aspect of this heritage, the naval heritage collections of Portsmouth. In light of recent conflicts, media coverage and the impression of sanitised hi-tech warfare, the author questions to what extend does this collection address military conflict based on the analysis of other military heritage collections, the role of military personnel involved in creating exhibitions concerning conflict, and whether such collections serve to glorify or commemorate. The author concludes that whilst a balanced approach to displaying conflict is being addressed, they hope this study will prompt further debate o

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