History lovers can pick what historic items they want to be displayed as part of the First World War centenary next year.

The Royal Air Force Museum in Grahame Park Way, Hendon, will exhibit objects from its archives to explain the role of aviation during the war.

The collection includes objects ranging from the Baron Manfred von Richthofen’s lucky charm – a blue glass dog – and Lt Frank McNamara’s Victoria Cross, awarded to the Australian pilot for rescuing a fallen comrade despite being gravely wounded himself.

Each object tells a story about the experiences of those men and women, at home and overseas, who lived, fought, worked and died during the war.

Peter Dye, Director General of the Museum said: “Over the past four years, the Museum has been developing its plans and acquiring objects to form the first comprehensive exhibition on the role of aviation, and the impact on those thousands of individuals who flew in or supported the air services – at home and overseas – during this momentous period.

“We would like to invite the public to tell us which objects and their stories inspire them, and those they would like to hear more about, by viewing our Flickr and Pinterest Streams.”

The streams can be viewed on the RAF Museum’s website.

People are also encouraged to submit their own stories through the letters, photographs and artefacts left by relatives who served in the Royal Air Force.