Empire

A bomb disposal officer and infantry officer patrol West Belfast, 1992

The Troubles

Troops were sent to Northern Ireland in 1969. They ended up staying there for nearly 40 years in what became the British Army's longest ever deployment.

Lieutenants Melville and Coghill saving the Colours at Isandlwana, 1879

Zulu War

In 1879, the British fought a war against the Zulu kingdom. The Zulus resisted bravely and were only defeated after a series of particularly bloody battles that have gone down in the annals of colonial warfare.

Patrolling the Malayan jungle, 1950s

Malayan Emergency

The Malayan Emergency (1948-60) was one of the few successful counter-insurgency operations undertaken by the Western powers during the Cold War.

Gurkhas at Peiwar Kotal, 1878

The Gurkhas

Nepalese soldiers known as Gurkhas have fought for Britain since 1815. Here we explore their history and find out why they have long been regarded among the finest and fiercest soldiers.

Ashanti horn, 1824

A trophy worth losing your head for?

In the 19th century, it was customary for soldiers to claim war trophies as a token of victory after defeating their enemies in battle. This Ashanti war trumpet is unusual in that it serves as a token of defeat.

Explore Empire events

School students getting to grips with the handling collection
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 18 Jul 2025 FREE

World at War: Soldiers of Empire

Discover more about the contributions of soldiers from the British Empire in the First and Second World Wars.

A British medical orderly treats a wounded German soldier, c1916
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 18 Jul 2025 FREE

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

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

The Indian 'Mutiny'?
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 18 Jul 2025 FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’?

Analyse evidence from sources and artefacts to make a case for how the 1857 uprising in India should be interpreted.

’Mutinous Sepoys’, c1857
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 18 Jul 2025 FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’? (virtual)

Analyse evidence from documents and artefacts, then curate an exhibition to make a case for whether the conflict was a mutiny or war of independence.

School students getting to grips with the handling collection
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 18 Jul 2025 FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

A private of the 8th West India Regiment, c1804
Talk
21 Mar 2025 FREE

Soldiers of Uncertain Rank: The West India Regiments in British Imperial Culture

Professor David Lambert explores the history of the West India Regiments and their impact on the culture of the Caribbean.

Explore Empire learning resources

Soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment, France, 1916
Timeline

West Indian Soldier: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through an interactive timeline.

Women of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service, c1944
Video

Virtual Exhibition: West Indian Soldier

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through this virtual tour of the West Indian Soldier exhibition.

Shirley Hamilton: ATS Servicewoman
Video

Shirley Hamilton: ATS Servicewoman

Explore the contribution of Caribbean women who joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War.

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum
Video

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum

Explore the theme of remembrance and the service of African and Caribbean men and women in the British Army with BlackPoppyRose.

Indian Army troops travelling upstream on a barge, Mesopotamia, c1916
Timeline

India, Empire and the Army: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of the British Army in India and the British Empire's Indian armies through this interactive timeline packed with over 200 sources.

'The Divided Dominion', poster, published 21 June 1947
Video

The Partition of India: A Poetic Retelling

Discover more about the Partition of India and the events leading up to it through this poetry film, featuring archival images and original epic poetry.

History of Warfare: Gallery Trail
Trail

History of Warfare: Gallery Trail

Follow the trail to find ten gallery objects that explore the nature of warfare and the British Army through time.

Army and Empire: Gallery Trail
Trail

Army and Empire: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail to find out more about the Army’s role in the British Empire.

Take a view on soldiers
Video

Take a view on soldiers

Explore the real people performing a soldier's tasks, their reasons for joining and the lasting impact it can have on their lives.

Take a view on the Army's role
Video

Take a view on the Army’s role

Explore what the Army does and why; from fighting in sometimes contentious conflicts to the specialist support and skills it can provide.

Commonwealth soldiers in Palestine
Video

Commonwealth soldiers in Palestine

Discover the diverse range of soldiers who contributed to the British First World War effort in Palestine.

Commonwealth soldiers in East Africa
Video

Commonwealth soldiers in East Africa

Discover the diverse range of soldiers who contributed to the British First World War effort in East Africa.