A Chester British Armed Forces veteran’s exploits during National Service 60 years ago will be front and centre of an innovative UK-wide new heritage project.
Michael Wilkinson, 87, who served in countries including Jordan, Iraq and Egypt and was stationed at Hednesford, is one of 18 former servicemen included in a National Lottery-funded project called National Service Remembered.
It has been exactly 60 years since National Service ended in the UK and the campaign, run by the not-for-profit organisation Same but Different, captures an important period of the country’s cultural history through the eyes of the men who served.
Ceridwen Hughes, photographer and founder of Same but Different, has combined striking portraits, video interviews and written narratives to bring alive conscripts’ experiences in one powerful exhibition.
Michael worked as a radar mechanic in the Middle East during the Suez Crisis and believes the project, powered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, provides a valuable insight into a unique period of Britain’s past.
Michael, who was first conscripted in 1953, said: “Working with the team from Same but Different on this project has been a totally positive experience.
“It has brought back memories of happenings I have not thought about for many years.
“This project has already influenced me. As a result of thinking about National Service, I put in quite a few RAF station names that I was familiar with.
“There’s an awful lot of them on the internet and there are hundreds of photographs. I look back on it as being a very positive experience.
“Particularly so as National Service ceased in the distant past. Congratulations on National Service Remembered – you have all done a wonderful job.”
Ceridwen added: “To spend time with these men was a real joy, and we hope this exhibition will inspire children and adults to speak to this older generation about their experiences.
“We are really grateful to the players of the National Lottery who funded this project along with the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.”
High-profile stars were far from exempt from conducting National Service, with Brian Blessed, Michael Caine and Anthony Hopkins among some of the household names to serve.
And television veteran Johnny Ball, who served in the RAF during the 1950s, is supporting the Lottery-funded National Service Remembered campaign after describing his time serving as ‘the making of him’ at the end of last year.
National Lottery players raise £30 million every week for good causes and play a critical role in supporting people, projects and communities during these challenging times.
Chester residents Miles Anderson, Ronald Jackson, Ian McMullen and Graham Harding are also involved in the project, run by Same but Different, who use the arts for positive social change and to highlight inequalities and bring communities closer together.
Michael served across the Middle East and formed a key part of British forces when the Suez Crisis dominated global headlines in the mid-1950s.
He worked in the Forestry Commission before retiring and now lives with Ann, 63, in Chester and has two grandchildren, aged 25 and 23.
His inspirational story is now being showcased with the help of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which uses money raised by The National Lottery to inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage.
The Fund creates positive and lasting change for people and communities and Michael hopes the next generation can learn from the National Service Remembered campaign.
“Overall, I think National Service was a very positive experience,” he added.
“It wasn’t easy, but I learnt a great deal. If kids today had to do National Service, I think it would be perfect.
“I think it is of considerable value for younger people to have the opportunity to learn in detail about what happened to others all those years ago.
“I think anything that provides discipline is great – but they would find it tough.”
The exhibition will be touring the UK later in the year and is available to see online at www.national-service.co.uk
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