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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 Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons), c2005

The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)

This Scottish infantry regiment was formed in 1994. It continued in British Army service until 2006, when it was merged into The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

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Cap badge, Army Legal Corps, c1985

Army Legal Corps

This unit was responsible for providing legal support at all levels of the British Army. In 1992, it became a branch of the newly formed Adjutant General’s Corps.

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Cap badge, The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), c1910

The Royal Scots

This Scottish infantry regiment was raised in 1633, making it the oldest in British Army history. After 373 years' distinguished service, it was amalgamated into The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006.

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Bonnet badge, Royal Regiment of Scotland, c2019

The Royal Regiment of Scotland

This regiment was formed in 2006. It is the senior line infantry regiment - and only remaining Scottish line infantry regiment - of the British Army.

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Beret badge, The Royal Lancers, c2019

The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths’ Own)

This armoured cavalry unit was formed in 2015. As well as performing combat missions, it undertakes reconnaissance duties.

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Cap badge, 7th Duke of of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles, c1990

7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Originally raised in 1902 as part of the Indian Army, this infantry regiment transferred to the British Army in 1948. After several decades of distinguished service, it was amalgamated into the Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1994.

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Cap badge, Royal Gurkha Rifles, c2019

The Royal Gurkha Rifles

This infantry unit was formed in 1994 by amalgamating four existing Gurkha regiments. Since then, it has served on several deployments, including the recent conflict in Afghanistan.

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Cap badge, Light Dragoons, 1993

The Light Dragoons

This British Army light cavalry regiment was formed in 1992. It has since served in several conflicts, including the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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Other ranks' cap badge, The Yorkshire Regiment, c2019

The Royal Yorkshire Regiment

Formed in 2006, this British Army infantry regiment has since served in several conflicts, including the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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Cap badge, The Rifles, c2019

The Rifles

This British Army light infantry regiment was formed in 2007. It has since served in several conflicts, including the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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Cap badge, other ranks, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, c1970

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

This infantry regiment was formed in 1968. Since then, it has served during British Army campaigns around the globe. Today, it performs an armoured infantry role.

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Cap badge of the Reconnaissance Corps, c1941

Reconnaissance Corps

Formed in 1941, this corps carried out reconnaissance duties for British Army infantry divisions during the Second World War. It was disbanded in 1946.

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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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