Claire Wallace is the Curator of the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiments Museum. The museum is housed in the last original building of the Gibraltar Barracks site, that West Suffolk College now occupies. Since Claire’s appointment in 2019, she has forged a close working partnership with Eastern Education Group: becoming a partner of the Group, giving an Edmund’s Open Lecture and setting up an exhibition at UPDC, meeting many student groups and supporting students with projects, giving bespoke tours, and, most importantly, preserving the memory of the Group’s co-founder Harvey Frost.
What is your connection to Eastern Education Group?
I was approached by members of EEG to provide group visits and tours to the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiments Museum, and the relationship grew from there. I am the Curator of the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiments Museum and have built up good relationships with staff and students at EEG over the six years that I have been in post.
As a partner of Eastern Education Group – including West Suffolk College – I have given a talk at the Edmund’s Open Lectures, worked with a media student for their final major project, supplied a National Army Museum-produced exhibition about the Royal Anglian Regiment’s involvement with Ukrainian forces to UPDC, have given tours to multiple Access to Higher Education Humanities and Social Science and degree groups (for the English and History degree).
I look after items in the Museum’s collection related to the co-founder of the College.
Who was Harvey Frost and what is his collection?
In the Museum collection, we hold items belonging to 2nd Lieutenant Harvey Frost, who was the co-founder of Bury Technical College (later West Suffolk College). Within the Harvey Frost collection, we have his original Burberry trench coat and gas hood, as well as other items he collected in France during World War One.
Do you have any special memories from your time with us?
Engaging with the staff and students at the College benefits both the Museum and the College. It allows us to share ideas and interpret things in different ways.
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate our 100 years of history?
It is an absolutely pleasure working with the staff and students at the College and it’s humbling to be able to look after items which previously belonged to Harvey Frost, who had such a pivotal role with both the Suffolk Regiment and the College.
Lastly, do you have any advice for future students and staff at EEG?
Always look to find the subject that suits you rather than others. You will succeed if you find what interests you.
