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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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Glengarry badge, 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot, c1874

47th (The Lancashire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1741. It served in many campaigns until 1881, when it was merged into The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire).

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Glengarry badge, other ranks’, 81st (Royal Lincoln Volunteers) Regiment of Foot, c1874

81st Regiment of Foot (Loyal Lincoln Volunteers)

This line infantry regiment was raised in 1793 and continued in British Army service until 1881 when it was merged into The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire).

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3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) keeping fit on board HMT 'Orion' en route to Egypt, 1941

The Sale Collection: Voyaging to war

In the third instalment, we explore the exploits of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry in 1941 as they travel around Africa en route to the desert war in Egypt and Libya.

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

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 East Lancashire Regiment

This infantry regiment was created in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1958, when it was amalgamated with The South Lancashire Regiment to form The Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers).

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30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment of Foot

Raised in 1689, this infantry regiment served in many campaigns until the 1881 Army reforms, when it was merged into The East Lancashire Regiment.

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Lieutenant-General John Manners, Marquess of Granby, c1763

Marquess of Granby: The benevolent soldier

Lieutenant-General John Manners, Marquess of Granby, acquired his reputation for courage and leadership during the Seven Years War. His popularity was also founded upon his well-known generosity and concern for the welfare of his men.

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British troops taking part in NATO's Exercise Lionheart in Germany, 1984

Active Edge: The Army, Germany and the Cold War

In 1945, British troops occupied Germany alongside their wartime Soviet allies. But growing East-West tensions soon evolved into the Cold War. For the next four decades, soldiers in Germany prepared to face an attack by the Warsaw Pact.

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59th (2nd Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1755. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment of Foot to form The East Lancashire Regiment.

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The Manchester Regiment

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. It went on to serve in many British Army campaigns until 1958, when it was merged into The King’s Regiment (Manchester and Liverpool).

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Other ranks' glengarry badge, 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment, c1874

63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1758. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged with the 96th Regiment to form The Manchester Regiment.

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96th Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1824. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged with the 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment to form The Manchester Regiment.

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Remembrance

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