Subject Priorities

The implications of the negative factors which prevent the adoption of a universal selection policy means that the department should examine how to construct a list of subject priorities and then apply them to the construction of such a list, based on the current state of the collection as detailed in the previous section.

Identification of Subject Priorities

1. Relevance of subject to Museum’s brief.
2. Demand for material relating to subject.
3. Success of collection as currently stated to meet that demand both now and in the future.
4. Number of people involved in the events which taken together form the subject matter. This is of relevance if the number is large and thus represents a subject, which we should make efforts to collect, as it is a common central experience. It can also be of relevance if the number is small and the subject represents a rare but significant experience.
5. Number of people involved in the events which together form the subject matter who are still available to relate their experience and the length of time for which they will continue to be available. This is of relevance as it can raise the priority of a topic if the source of recollections is about to disappear for any reason.

Suggested Priorities

1. 1914-1918 The First World War
   Gallipoli; Mesopotamia; Italy; Palestine; East Africa; Ireland; Salonika
   Western Front Operations 1914-15
   Naval Campaigns: Coronel & Falklands; Hunt for Raiders, convoy & Anti-Submarine; Dover Patrol; Zeebrugge Raid
   Male work on home front: farming; mines; heavy armaments
    
2. 1919-1939 Inter War
   Attacks on USSR 1919-21
   Spanish Civil War and particularly Fascist side
   Ireland
   Royal Navy (excepting Invergordon)
   Rise of fascism in Britain
    
3. 1939-1945 Second World War
   Home Front – Industry; Farming; Women’s role; Home Guard; Political Warfare; Politicians; Press & Media; Espionage; Battle of Britain; Blitz
   Overseas - all major campaigns especially those involving limited numbers. Special attention must be taken to avoid minimizing the attention given to the RN and RAF.
    
4. 1945-1983 Post War
   Korea
   Colonial Warfare: African campaigns; Aden; Cyprus; Falklands; Vietnam (Australian); India Independence; Ireland
    
5. 1900-1983
   Political: Recordings related to France; pre 1938 USA/; Japan; Rise of fascism in UK in 1930s and 80s; post 1945 situation.
   Technical: Weapon development and construction
   Sound Effects: pre 1939 and post 1945.