Acknowledgements
This exhibition has been written by the team behind ‘Forged by Fire: Burns Injury and Identity in Britain, c.1800-2000’: Professor Jonathan Reinarz and Dr Rebecca Wynter (University of Birmingham), and Professor Shane Ewen and Dr Aaron Andrews (Leeds Beckett University).
Dr Rosemary Cresswell (University of Hull) worked with us on this exhibition, and was responsible for the ‘Blitz and Civil Defence, c.1939-1945’ section. Dr Cresswell and Professor Barry Doyle (University of Huddersfield) are the lead investigators for the project ‘Crossing Boundaries: The History of First Aid in Britain and France, 1909-1989’.
Both projects are supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), ‘Forged by Fire’ under the grant number AH/N00664X/1, and ‘Crossing Boundaries’, AH/N003330/1. The AHRC funds world-class, independent researchers in a wide range of subjects: history, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, languages, design, heritage, area studies, the creative and performing arts, and much more. In the 2019/20 financial year, the AHRC will spend approximately £98 million to fund research and postgraduate training, in collaboration with a number of partners. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits and contributes to the economic success of the UK but also to the culture and welfare of societies around the globe.
In the list below, we acknowledge all those who have contributed to the ‘Forged by Fire’ exhibition in one way or another.
We are extremely grateful to St John Ambulance and the Museum of the Order of St John, especially to Abigail Cornick, Rachel Job and Hannah Agass – their time and advice for this exhibition has been invaluable. We thank the designer of this exhibition, Katerina Portik, for her flair, skill, patience and hard work.
We wish to thank the insights offered by the ‘Forged by Fire’ Advisory Board as it has progressed: Paul M. Fuller CBE QFSM MStJ DL (Chief Fire Officer at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Children’s Burns Trust), Professor Diane Harcourt (Centre for Appearance Research, University of West England), Dr Joseph Hardwicke (University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust), Peter Holland CBE QFSM FIFireE (Life) (Chief Inspector Crown Premises Fire Safety Inspectorate), Dr Emily Mayhew (Imperial College, London), Kelly McMeekin (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service), Professor Naiem Moieman (University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust), Darren North (West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service) and Krissie Stiles (Katie Piper Foundation).
Additional advice has been offered by: Ronnie King OBE, OSt.J, QFSM, F.I Fire E (All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety & Rescue Group), Professor Arthur McIvor (University of Strathclyde), Professor Sir Keith Porter (University of Birmingham), and Dr Steven Sadhra (University of Birmingham).
We would like to thank all the people and organisations who have been so essential to our research and to the information and images that are contained within this exhibition:
Mehzebin Adam at the British Red Cross Museum and Archives, Amanda Engineer and all at Barts Health NHS Trust Archives, Sarah Garrod at George Padmore Institute, and Ruth Neave at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Archives.
B16aug - Bradford Local Studies Library - British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons - Brockhouse Group Ltd., West Bromwich - Chicago Public Library - Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History – Iain Cameron – David Stahl - Imperial War Museums - London Metropolitan Archives - New York Public Library - National Fire Chiefs Council - NHS England - Paisleyorguk - Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - Science Museum Group - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - Staff at the Medical School café, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham - The British Newspaper Archive and The British Library, and especially Eddie Bundy at Find My Past - The National Archives, Kew - University Hospitals, Birmingham - Wellcome Collection and Archives - West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge all those past and present who have been injured or killed through fire, burns and scald injuries. We thank those who have worked to keep us all safe, including those who fought for health and safety regulations in the UK and the EU. The emergency services – fire, police and ambulance – have been and are still there when we need them and we thank them. Finally, thank you to those who have worked in medicine and research, past and present – including in the National Health Service – and to those who have collaborated and shared knowledge internationally.
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