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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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Women’s work?

Discover how women’s contributions to the British Army have helped bring about change over the past 100 years. And see how Army recruiters have adapted their messaging accordingly.

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61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1758. It served in several British Army campaigns until 1881, when it became part of The Gloucestershire Regiment.

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The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment

This infantry unit was formed in 1994. It continued in British Army service until 2007, when it became part of The Rifles.

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Collar badge, The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment, c1980

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire)

This infantry unit was formed in 1959. It continued in British Army service until 1994, when it became part of The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment.

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The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s)

This infantry unit was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1959, when it was merged into The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire).

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Glengarry badge, 49th (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) (or Hertfordshire) Regiment, c1874

49th (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) (Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1743. It served until the 1881 Army reforms, when it was merged into The Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Berkshire Regiment).

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66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1758. It continued in British Army service until 1881, when it was merged into The Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Berkshire Regiment).

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The Ulster Defence Regiment

This infantry unit was formed in 1970. It served with the British Army in Northern Ireland until 1992, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Regiment.

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Iraq War: The counter-insurgency

Between 2003 and 2009, British troops in Iraq were engaged in a counter-insurgency war. They also helped train local security units, assisted with reconstruction and provided humanitarian aid.

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A Royal Irish Regiment vehicle passes a burning oil well during the invasion of Iraq, March 2003

Iraq War: The invasion

In March 2003, British troops took part in a coalition invasion of Iraq. After a month of combat operations, they overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime and occupied the country.

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