Wars and Conflicts

Dear Andrew Host

I write as an ex-serviceman, an "Ex-Researcher" and ex-contributor to the BBC WW2 People's War Site.

When the BBC first announced its intention of collecting wartime memories from civilians and servicemen alike, the response was overwhelming and by the time the site became an archive, over 40,000 entries had been received.

However, the archive has for an inordinate amount of time been plagued by its terrible, one could say, almost non existent search system.

I have raised this matter more than once with you personally and regrettably promises made on behalf of the BBC have not been fulfilled.

I was one of the "lucky" contributors who was chosen to visit White City and make suggestions as to how the archives would in future be administrated. At this meeting I was told in no uncertain terms that the search facility would certainly be no less efficient than the one we had enjoyed to date.

It is my considered opinion that the BBC has renaged on this promise and what should have been a leading source for WW2 research is now almost valueless.

I am now in my mid-eighties.

Is the BBC waiting for me and my fellow ex-contributors to quietly leave this arena so that their dereliction of duty will be allowed to pass un-noticed.

I await your reply with interest.

Regards

Ron

Dear Ron,

I completely sympathise with how galling this must be for you, and others who have contributed to WW2 People's War.

I can confirm that the work to fix the search facility is scheduled for early August - so after the long wait it should now just be a matter of weeks.

I will let you know when this work has been completed as soon as we get word.

All the best

Andrew