Explore

Delve deeper into stories of the Army and its soldiers, exploring events across the globe and down the centuries.

Explore by theme
Gunner of the Royal Artillery at a Covid mobile testing unit, West Midlands Safari Park, June 2020

Recording the Army’s Covid response

British Army personnel have made a significant contribution to the UK's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, the National Army Museum initiated a contemporary collecting project to record their efforts.

‘Amar Singh - fait a Orléans’, 16 October 1914

Paul Sarrut: Interpreting the Army on the Western Front

Paul Sarrut was a French soldier who was posted to the British Army as a military liaison officer and interpreter during the First World War. Trained as an artist, Sarrut created an important visual record of the 3rd (Lahore) Division in France.

Section Leader Mary Oldnall of the ATS working electrical apparatus, Shoeburyness, c1941

Hidden voices: Mary Coomer

The voice of Mary Coomer, who served in the ATS during the Second World War, was recently discovered in the National Army Museum's collection of oral history interviews. This is her story, in her own words.

Valerie Erskine Howe, Auxiliary Territorial Service, on a motorbike, c1944

Hidden voices: Valerie Erskine Howe

What would you do if your partner told you to get out there and 'learn about life' before they would marry you? Valerie Erskine Howe opted to join the Army... in the middle of a war. This is her story.

Major-General John Alexander Dunlop Wallace, Colonel of the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers), c1835

General Sir John Alexander Wallace

John Alexander Wallace commanded the 1st Battalion of the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) during the Peninsular War. His courage and leadership helped forge the identity and fighting reputation of this celebrated Irish unit.

Cap badge of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 1953

Royal Army Medical Corps

Formed in 1898, but within origins dating back to the 1660s, this specialist corps was responsible for maintaining the health of British Army service personnel. In 2024, it merged with two other corps to form the Royal Army Medical Service.

Other ranks’ cap badge, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, c1940

The Royal Warwickshire Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1674 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1968, it was amalgamated with three other fusilier regiments to form The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Other ranks’ cap badge, The Lancashire Fusiliers, c1900

The Lancashire Fusiliers

This infantry unit was raised in 1688 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1968, it was amalgamated with three other fusilier regiments to form The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Cap badge, The Northumberland Fusiliers, c1920

The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

This infantry unit was raised in 1674 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1968, it was amalgamated with three other fusilier regiments to form The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Captain Robert Parker, The Royal Regiment of Ireland, c1720

Captain Robert Parker

Robert Parker was an Irish soldier who saw extensive action during the wars of the 1690s and 1700s. His memoirs provide a valuable insight into his life and times, as well as the early history of the Royal Irish Regiment in which he served.

Cap badge, The Leicestershire Regiment, c1898

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1688 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1964, it was amalgamated with three other regiments of the East Anglian Brigade to form The Royal Anglian Regiment.

Other ranks’ cap badge, The Northamptonshire Regiment, c1916

The Northamptonshire Regiment

This infantry unit was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1960, when it was amalgamated with The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment to form the 2nd East Anglian Regiment.

Stories of remembrance

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.

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.

Story

The Unknown Warrior

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.