Corps Security has hired an archivist through the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) to examine and catalogue the records of its 161-year history.
Dorota Pomorska-Dawid, archivist at London Metropolitan Archives (pictured above left), is delving through more than 20 metres of records held in the London Metropolitan Archives which includes iconic pieces such as letters from Florence Nightingale, former Prime Minister William Gladstone and royalty. The archive also includes records of each former soldier who joined the Corps, including their personal family information, the regiment they served in and any medals they were awarded.
Pomorska-Dawid reports to Diz Sollesse at Corps (pictured above right) who acts as the archive custodian. The aim is for the artefacts to be digitised so that they can be viewed by historians and all those interested in Corps’ history. The work will be completed by the autumn. Pomorska-Dawid previously worked on a project with the Guildhall School of Music’s archives and has worked for the LMA for more than 18 years.
At the same time, the history of the Corps of Commissionaires – the organisation’s previous name – will form part of Dr David Churchill’s, Associate Professor in Criminal Justice, Leeds School of Law, personal history of security project. The project, which could see a co-authored booklet about the organisation’s history, is scheduled to begin in the autumn.
“We are immensely proud of our 161-year history and Dorota and David’s work will enable us to share artefacts with all those interested in military history and Corps’ own past,” said Mike Bullock, CEO of Corps Security.