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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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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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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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Other rank’s cap badge, Coldstream Guards, c1910

The Coldstream Guards

Formed in 1650, this is the oldest continuously serving regiment of the regular British Army. As well as guarding the monarch, its soldiers have served as infantry in almost every major campaign fought by the Army.

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Royal Army Chaplains’ Department

Formed in 1796, this corps provides religious and pastoral support to soldiers. Its officers, all ordained priests, have taken part in most British Army deployments.

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Helmet plate, officer, 1st West India Regiment, c1880

The West India Regiments

Raised in the 1790s to defend Britain's Caribbean colonies, the West India Regiments fought as infantry in several campaigns. They remained a part of the British Army until disbandment in 1927.

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Beret badge, The South Lancashire Regiment, c1950

The South Lancashire Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s Volunteers)

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1958, when it was merged into The Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers).

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Shako plate, 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment, c1855

40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was formed in 1717. It continued in service until the 1881 British Army reforms, when it became part of The Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment).

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82nd Regiment of Foot (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers)

This infantry unit was raised in 1793. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it became part of The Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment).

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Remembrance

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