Empire

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In Their Own Words: Private Matthew Tuck

Matthew Tuck served with the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment in South Africa from 1879 to 1881. He fought in both the Zulu War and the Transvaal War, and kept a diary of his experiences during these conflicts.

Study of a British soldier with two camels, Egypt, c1885

Camels on campaign

Working relationships between soldiers and animals form an important part of Army life. Here, we take a look at how camels have helped to defend and extend Britain's interests across Asia and northern Africa.

The Storming and Capture of the North Fort, Peiho, on 21 August, 1860

Second China War

Between 1856 and 1860, British-Indian forces joined the French in a military expedition against Imperial China. Their victory further opened up China to Western traders and greatly weakened the Qing dynasty's imperial regime.

Detail from painting of the Battle of Isandlwana

The Battle of Isandlwana, 22 January 1879

One of our most popular paintings is a depiction of the Battle of Isandlwana by Charles Fripp. Here, we take a closer look at the artwork to discover more about this infamous British defeat.

Officers and non-commissioned officers of the 2nd Devonshire Regiment, Wuutho, Burma, 1891

Third Burma War

Following a series of fractious disputes, the British invaded Upper Burma in late 1885 and overthrew its king. While the country was quickly annexed to British India, a guerrilla war ensued that rumbled on for the best part of a decade.

The 18th and 80th Regiments storming the Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon, 1852

Second Burma War

This brief conflict in 1852-53 was largely provoked by the East India Company, which was hungry for new territory and resources like teak and rubber. It ended in a British victory and saw Lower Burma become a province of British India.

The British landing at Rangoon, 11 May 1824

First Burma War

Frontier clashes between British India and the Burmese Empire escalated into a full-blown war that lasted from 1824 to 1826. This conflict resulted in parts of Burma coming under the control of the East India Company.

Transvaal War

In 1880-81, the British fought a brief war against the Transvaal Boers in South Africa. The Boers were resistant to Britain's annexation of their territory and went on to inflict several stinging defeats during their successful fight for independence.

British West Indies Regiment

Formed in 1915, this British Army regiment was composed of volunteers from the West Indies and served in various theatres of the First World War. It was disbanded in 1921, shortly after the end of the conflict.

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple had a most distinguished military career. He was also passionate about military heritage and history, and a steadfast supporter of the National Army Museum.

Soldiers of the East Yorkshire Regiment at Longford, Ireland, May 1921

Irish War of Independence

Fought between 1919 and 1921, this was a guerrilla and sectarian conflict involving Irish republicans, Ulster loyalists and British government forces. It brought about the creation of Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.

Armies of the East India Company

Originally formed to trade in Asia, the East India Company came to rule large areas of the Indian subcontinent, exercising military power through its formidable armed forces.

Jeremy Archer shares first-hand accounts from veterans who served in one of the Second World War's most arduous campaigns. Part of our Burma Day.

British troops advancing during the fighting at Meiktila, Burma, February 1945

Talk

20 Sep 2025 £10.00

Empire

Explore Empire stories

In Their Own Words: Private Matthew Tuck

Camels on campaign

Second China War

The Battle of Isandlwana, 22 January 1879

Third Burma War

Second Burma War

First Burma War

Transvaal War

British West Indies Regiment

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple

Irish War of Independence

Armies of the East India Company

Explore Empire events

The Indian ‘Mutiny’?

World at War: Soldiers of Empire

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment (virtual)

The Indian ‘Mutiny’? (virtual)

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies

Indian Army Experiences of the Burma Campaign

Jungle Commandos: The Battle for Arakan, 1945

West African Soldiers in Burma

Veterans' Stories from the Burma Campaign

Longest, Harshest, Largest: Superlatives of the Burma Campaign

Commonwealth soldiers in East Africa

Commonwealth soldiers on the Western Front

Commonwealth soldiers at Gallipoli