Tagged With

British Empire and Commonwealth Collection

In 2012, the collections of the former British Empire and Commonwealth Museum (BECM) were transferred to the care of Bristol Museums.

Here you’ll find blog posts, events and stories related to this major collection, which covers a wide range of material relating to the countries of the British Empire and the Commonwealth. Find out more about the collection.

Blog

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 26-27 March 1918

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist at Bristol Archives

In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures. Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Comm…

Blog

Letters home from the North West Frontier, India, 1945-47

by Pat Ellingham, Archives Volunteer

I’ve just finished reading over 250 letters home from a young Bristol soldier called Joseph Stephens (collection ref. 2005/044), who was stationed on the North West Frontier during the months leading up to Part…

Blog

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 23 March 1918

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist at Bristol Archives.

In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures. Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Com…

Blog

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 11-20 March 1918

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist at Bristol Archives.

In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures. Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Com…

Blog

Bristol and Nairobi – a new archives partnership

by Dr Liz Haines, University of Bristol

At the beginning of April I travelled to Nairobi along with Dr Neil Carrier. Our visit was part of a project—funded by the University of Bristol—to begin exploring the potential for collaboration and r…

Blog

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 6-9 March 2018

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist at Bristol Archives.

In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures. Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Com…

Blog

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 3 March 1918

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist.

In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures. Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Commonwealth Collection at B…

Blog

Working with the Robertsons and the Reillys

by Ella Roper, Bristol Archives volunteer

While volunteering at the archives, working on the British Empire and Commonwealth material, I have had access to a myriad of handwritten sources within the collections I have been cataloguing.

I have…

Blog

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 7-15 February 1918

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist.

In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures.

Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Commonwealth Collection at Bri…

Blog

Margaret Duncan’s diary: 2-3 February 1918

by Nicky Sugar, Archivist.

In February 1918 Margaret Duncan, a Post Office clerk from Scotland, sailed to East Africa for a new job and new adventures.

Her diary and photograph albums are now in the British Empire and Commonwealth Collection at…