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  • 10.00am - 5.30pm
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  • Chelsea, London

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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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Cap badge, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own), 1927

The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own)

This rifle regiment was formed in 1800 and was one of the first to undergo light infantry training. In 1966, it merged with the two other regiments of the Green Jackets Brigade to form The Royal Green Jackets.

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Cap badge of the Royal Tank Regiment, c1940

Royal Tank Regiment

This British Army armoured regiment was formed in 1917. Since then, it has served in many campaigns around the world as part of the Royal Armoured Corps.

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Sabretache badge of the Scots Guards, c1880

The Scots Guards

This foot guard regiment was formed in 1662. As well as guarding the monarch and carrying out ceremonial duties, it has served on active deployments with the British Army throughout its history.

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Cap badge, Royal Army Medical Corps, c1941

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cap badge, other ranks, The Lincolnshire Regiment, c1910

The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1685 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1960, it was amalgamated with The Northamptonshire Regiment to form the 2nd East Anglian Regiment.

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Other ranks cap badge, The Suffolk Regiment, c1916

The Suffolk Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1685 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1959, it was amalgamated with The Royal Norfolk Regiment to form the 1st East Anglian Regiment.

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Cap badge, The Norfolk Regiment, 1919

The Royal Norfolk Regiment

This infantry unit was raised in 1685 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1959, it was amalgamated with The Suffolk Regiment to form the 1st East Anglian Regiment.

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Remembrance

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