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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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Other ranks’ cap badge, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, c1918

Royal Army Ordnance Corps

The Royal Army Ordnance Corps was the body charged with supplying weapons, ammunition and equipment to the British Army.

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Sherwood Foresters

The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. After nearly 90 years of British Army service, it merged with The Worcestershire Regiment in 1970. Its traditions are now continued by The Mercian Regiment.

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Cap Badge, Royal Army Service Corps, c1940

Royal Army Service Corps

The Royal Army Service Corps was the unit responsible for keeping the British Army supplied with provisions.

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Royal Flying Corps

Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps was the air arm of the British Army during the First World War.

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The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

The Buffs was one of the first infantry regiments of the British Army, with origins dating back to the 16th century.

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The South Staffordshire Regiment

The South Staffordshire Regiment

The South Staffordshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, active between 1881 and 1959.

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Other ranks’ cap badge, The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, c1924-c1958

The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

This infantry unit has origins dating back to 1688. It served with the British Army until 1958, when it was merged into the 3rd East Anglian Regiment.

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Other ranks' cap badge, 5th Dragoon Guards, c1900

5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s)

The 5th Dragoon Guards was a cavalry regiment dating back to 1685. The regiment was amalgamated after nearly 240 years of service following the First World War.

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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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"First time @NAM_London today. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thought the presentation & interpretation made the subject accessible..."

National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT
Registered Charity Number: 237902