IWM is a global authority on conflict and its impact on people’s lives. Our world-leading collection and historically important sites help us tell extraordinary human stories in the most powerful way possible.
IWM is a charity. We are partly funded by the government but rely on the support of our members, volunteers and donors, as well as income from retail and other commercial activities to carry on our work.
Discover how you can support IWM and help us continue to tell the stories that deserve to be heard.
Become an IWM Member
Help tell the stories that deserve to be heard by supporting us as a member. Uncover a host of benefits including free standard admission to Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast and IWM Duxford.
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The IWM shop stocks a wide range of books, clothing and unique gifts.
Every purchase helps their stories to be retold.
Stories that deserve to be heard
[Morse code tapping out "My name is Bernie Bristol"]
The thing is about communicators when you walk along a street, you can even see a car coming and you'll read the number plate and you'll go to 'do da do do', it's automatic. You get bit bored when you're retired like, you know. What is it television, you sit down, you do a bit of gardening, and you do a bit of this and that and shopping. But as I come on board you get that feeling, it's a smell of the ship, it's beautiful it brings back the old memories.
My name is Bernie Bristol and I was a leading Radio Operator on this ship. I have been coming every Friday for the last year and a half, because I've enjoyed it so much myself. You know doing what I used to do. I teach the children the basic Morse code.
Your name's Robbie!
The Morse is there but to actually do it with the public is like being back in Navy again.
I've had cards from schools to say thank you. I've had children make up Christmas cards with HMS Belfast saying how great the Morse code was. They think all this was all gone now, but it hasn't gone for the old sparkers like myself.
If they take HMS Belfast they won't get rid of me. They can get rid of me, but I'll still be here teaching I love it! Just seeing them go away happy, that's what it's all about.
IWM Volunteer Bernie served on HMS Belfast as a Radio Operator and now regularly volunteers on board, bringing the history of the ship alive by sharing his stories with visitors.
Volunteers like Bernie make an essential contribution to IWM's work – and your support helps ensure we can continue to tell these important stories for generations to come.
