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Bullet extracted from Alfred Smith's lung in 1940
A Soldier's Life

The curious story of Alfred Smith

A chance discovery by a curator’s brother-in-law lifted the lid on a surprising story of service that now features in our refreshed Soldier gallery. A selection of unexceptional First World War medals proved the key to unlocking this series of extraordinary events.
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Damaged office buildings in Scarborough, 1914

Remember Scarborough!

On 16 December 1914, the German Navy bombarded several towns on England’s north-eastern seaboard. This surprise raid brought the First World War to the British mainland for the first time and soon became the subject of a propaganda war.

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‘The Dead Soldier’, 1832

With deepest sympathies

Among the most poignant items in the Museum’s archive are letters relating to soldiers’ deaths. Here, we showcase some particularly moving examples, revealing the insights behind the powerful stories they tell.

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Bullet extracted from Alfred Smith's lung in 1940

The curious story of Alfred Smith

A chance discovery by a curator’s brother-in-law lifted the lid on a surprising story of service that now features in our refreshed Soldier gallery.

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Study of a British soldier with two camels, Egypt, c1885

Camels on campaign

Working relationships between soldiers and animals form an important part of Army life. Here, we take a look at how camels have helped to defend and extend Britain's interests across Asia and northern Africa.

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Captain Michael Charles Cooper Harrison, DSO MC, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, c1918

In Their Own Words: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Harrison

Michael Harrison served with distinction during the First World War. He performed acts of great courage and daring both on the battlefield and in captivity, mounting repeated escape attempts.

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A sepoy of the Bengal Army, 1815

In Their Own Words: Subedar Sitaram Pande

Sitaram Pande served with the Bengal Army from 1812 to 1860, taking part in many important campaigns. His memoirs provide a rare and precious glimpse into life in the Indian Army during the 19th century.

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Portrait of Richard Symonds, c1638-80

In Their Own Words: Trooper Richard Symonds

Richard Symonds was an antiquarian and art enthusiast, who served on the Royalist side during the British Civil Wars. His diary is one of the most important first-hand accounts of the conflict.

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Captain Louis Edward Nolan, 15th Hussars

In Their Own Words: Captain Louis Nolan

Louis Nolan was an ambitious officer and an expert in cavalry warfare. He kept a journal during his service in the Crimean War and achieved notoriety for his role in the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade.

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Pages from the diary of Captain Philip Townsend

In Their Own Words: Captain Philip Townsend

Philip Townsend was an Irish gentleman. In 1756, he travelled to North America, where he fought against the French in the Seven Years War. His diary provides an insight into frontier warfare and the assault on Louisbourg.

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James Thurlby, 1943

In Their Own Words: Sergeant James Thurlby

James Thurlby served during the Second World War and turned his talents as a journalist to describing his experiences as a soldier. His writings provide a visceral account of combat and a profound insight into the horrors of war.

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Chantelle Taylor during an oral history recording, 2016

In Their Own Words: Staff Sergeant Chantelle Taylor

Chantelle Taylor served as a combat medic during the recent conflict in Afghanistan. In 2008, while on patrol in Helmand Province, she became the first female British soldier to kill an enemy combatant at close quarters.

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Ted Senior during his time as a prisoner of war, c1943

In Their Own Words: Major Ted Senior

Ted Senior was captured by the Japanese during the Second World War and forced to work on the Thai-Burma ‘Death Railway'. The diary he kept reveals the horrific conditions that he and his fellow prisoners endured.

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Remembrance

The Royal Artillery Memorial, Hyde Park Corner, London, 1925
Story

Honouring the fallen

After the First World War, British society had to come to terms with the loss of huge numbers of its service personnel. Across the country, people found ways to commemorate the fallen at a local and national level.

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The coffin of the Unknown Warrior borne in a wagon with a guard of Allied soldiers, 10 November 1920
Story

The Unknown Warrior: A mystery solved

The grave of the Unknown Warrior contains the remains of an unidentified British serviceman, interred in 1920 to honour the fallen of the First World War. The secretive selection process remains shrouded in mystery.

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The Cenotaph in Whitehall, 1919
story

Peace and commemoration

After the Armistice in November 1918, millions of soldiers hoped they would soon go home. But demobilising so many troops was a huge task. How best to mark the Allied victory also became a subject for debate.

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National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT
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