Veterans are being asked to share their memories and memorabilia for a landmark history project celebrating the work of the Royal British Legion.
Leicestershire County Council is looking to record the contribution of the Legion in the county as part of the organisation's 90th anniversary celebrations this year.
The project, thought to be the only one of its kind in the country, aims to gather the memories of members in Leicestershire and Rutland to reflect the charity's activities over the decades.
Members or relatives who have photos, film or objects relating to its work are being urged to get in touch.
Margaret Bonney, chief archivist at the County Record Office, in Wigston Magna, is leading the project.
She said: "Our aim is to make sure that material documenting the history of the Legion in Leicestershire and Rutland is preserved for future generations.
"My task is to find out what documents, photographs, films and memorabilia about the Legion's work over the past 90 years has survived, either at local branches or in private hands.
"Equally important is the project's aim to record the memories of members to create an oral history of those who have devoted their time for the welfare of ex-servicemen and women."
The Kegworth branch, which formed in 1927, has offered memorabilia collected for an exhibition at the village museum.
Ivor Hall, 82, the branch's membership secretary, said: "We've got all sorts of knick-knacks, including membership badges, ties and cards dating back to 1928, minutes from meetings, uniforms, medals and old-style poppy wreaths.
"We've also got a few very old photographs but with one or two the identity of those in the pictures is a mystery.
"Members and their families have kindly provided many of the items and more are coming in. I think it's a wonderful project."
The first branch of the Legion in Leicestershire was formed in Melton in June 1921, just weeks after the national organisation launched, with Whitwick following in July of the same year.
There are currently 36 county branches, with a total of about 4,000 members, compared to about 70, with up to 390,000 members, in the 40s.
Margaret Bonney said: "For an organisation as popular and well-known as the British Legion, I was very surprised at how little has actually been recorded of its history in the county.
"Until members of the Kegworth branch contacted us, the earliest document we could find was a 1939 minute book from the Countesthorpe branch.
"It would be a terrible shame if the history of the Legion is forgotten."
Jim Rowlinson, county chairman of the Royal British Legion and chairman of the Whitwick branch, said: "Because the branches formed and grew independently I think documents went missing as members died and some groups folded."
From the spring, there will be events in county libraries and museums to raise awareness of the project and allow people to share their memories.
Councillor David Sprason, county council cabinet member for communities, said: "The Legion's welfare and charitable work is as vital today as it was in 1921."
Photos and memorabilia can be sent to The Record Office, Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire LE18 2AH.
To find out more about the project, ring Margaret Bonney on 0116 257 1080 or e-mail: margaret.bonney@leics.gov.uk.
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