CWGC enters second phase of important film freezing project

The film freezing conservation partnership between Commonwealth War Graves and the National Conservation Service (NCS) recently entered its second phase.

Together, we are working to preserve over 50,000 film negatives and 315 glass plates from the early days of the Commission to ensure future generations have access to the Commission’s vast photographic archive.

In the first phase, 226 additional glass plate negatives have been identified, taking the total from 315 to 541. The negatives have a regular number sequence, allowing for neat, straightforward packaging up in bundles of 40.

The William Delafield Charitable Trust and The Rockcliffe Charitable Trust funded the first phase of the project. The Commonwealth War Graves would like to thank both Trusts for their incredible generosity.

This second phase of work will be generously funded by the Pilgrim Trust. The Pilgrim Trust is an independent charitable trust. Each year, it gives millions in grants to charities and other organisations across the UK which focus on preserving the UK’s history.

Of the 50,000 items in NCS’s care, many have started to critically deteriorate. 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Chief Archivist Michael Greet said: “The film freezing project is a critical initiative that preserves our rich heritage and ensures future generations have access to our vast historical photographic collection.

“By using specialised freezer storage to improve the preservation of the photographic negatives, we can safeguard these valuable and fascinating images from further deterioration and damage.”

With the help of the Pilgrim Trust, Commonwealth War Graves can continue to preserve and protect some of our earliest archival photographs and film, fitting the Commission’s status as an integral part of British and Commonwealth remembrance and commemoration.