Chris Langdon, BA(Hons)

I read History at the University of the West of England (Bristol), as well as with The Open University.

I worked at Southend Museums for a decade from 2012 where I served as the Learning and Events Officer.

I conceptualised, planned and implemented a yearlong programme of learning sessions and events across four museum branches for all ages and abilities. They covered general themes to more specific and catered events and tours.

Additionally, I organised, booked, processed, and delivered a curriculum and extra curriculum programme of educational sessions for KS1-KS4 covering local history, archaeology and art. Equally, I conducted tours for adult groups, college students and undergraduates. 

Finally, I researched, interpreted, and archived the town’s WWI and WWII roll’s of honour. This is alongside a four year long project to research the towns WWI heritage and undertake opportunities to share that story. 

I have worked alongside several HLF projects including Remember Us?, Gallipoli100, and Never Forget. Over the centenary project I educated over 10,000 local people through formal education sessions, events, HLF projects and guest lectures.

My personal interests include early modern European history from the Reformation to the twentieth century, and modern history from the Great War to the end of the Cold War. Themes include state formation, beliefs and ideologies, culture and society, and economics.

I enjoy travelling abroad and studying foreign history, and every year I go on a battlefield tour on the continent to explore WWI and WWII history.

I have appeared in the local press across the south Essex area, including the Essex Echo, The Braintree & Witham Times, and The Yellow Advertiser.

Additionally, I have appeared on BBC Essex Radio on a number of occasions to talk about the county’s extensive history.

I appear in the acknowledgement of Ian Castle’s Zeppelin Onslaught: Britain’s First Blitz; 1914-1915, as a contributor of research.