Dr Will Spencer
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willspencer.bsky.social
Dr Will Spencer
@willspencer.bsky.social
Interested in the written evidence of war (archives).
Service Records at TNA.
Over 1.5 million records have been catalogued in one series but 1.2 million of them are closed.
371K records for men born pre 1900 are still to be processed and these would be open immediately. Poor project or records management or just general malaise?!
July 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OTD. This time 43 years ago, I finally ended up on HMS Hermes. My aircraft (848 D Flight) had been lost on the Atlantic Conveyor on 25/5 & HMS Fearless had sent us packing. The Wessex V XT468 of 845 B Flight survived 25/5 but need a crew. So a small element of 848 D Flight went to Hermes to use it.
May 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Now home from my University of Glasgow graduation.

I can now get on with researching old men in the British Army in the First World War. Like me, they have to be over 56.
December 11, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Should government records which are born digital, be "read only" when they are released to the public?
Yesterday, I downloaded a file which allows me to edit it!
If you can edit an official record, you can edit it to rewrite history, and pass it off in your research as "official".
Wrong? You bet!
December 6, 2024 at 8:49 AM
Reposted by Dr Will Spencer
We're very pleased to welcome 217 new Fellows, Associate Fellows, Members and PGR Members who join the Royal Historical Society today: bit.ly/4eVl0Bu

Applications for #historians to join the Society are welcome at any time. Next closing date 13 December: bit.ly/45lOzr0 #History
December 4, 2024 at 11:07 AM
For those of you who jumped ship from X.

On Tuesday 30/4, I passed my viva.
May 6, 2024 at 1:44 PM
Could any Fleet Air Arm, aircraft engineering Falklands vets please follow me. I have a cunning plan which requires your input. Thanks.
January 21, 2024 at 9:42 AM
I am also known as warsmatter in the terrible place (x)!
January 3, 2024 at 11:24 AM