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Collection News

Last updated: 14 May 2013

Explore the stories surrounding select objects from the National Army Museum's Collection and get behind-the-scenes glimpses of the curators at work.

Child’s dressing gown with formation badges sewn on it, c1943

The Dressing Gown That Earned Its Stripes

Child’s dressing gown with formation badges sewn on it, c1943

A child’s dressing gown, decorated with a patchwork of military badges, reveals a moving story of growing up in Britain during the Second World War (1939-45) and the loss of a beloved parent.

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‘Raggie’ the War Horse: An Autobiography (1931)

Straight from the Horse's Mouth

‘Raggie’ the War Horse: An Autobiography (1931)

Curators have uncovered the enchanting tale of a handsome pony called Ragtime. Told straight from the horse’s mouth, the story charts his life from foalhood in India to the brutal battlefields of the First World War.

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Tunic worn by Campbell Clark, 2nd Bengal European Fusiliers, at Cawnpore, 1857

Indian Mutiny Tunic Reveals Death-Defying Story

Tunic worn by Campbell Clark, 2nd Bengal European Fusiliers, at Cawnpore, 1857

A rare tunic worn during the Indian Mutiny (1857-59), which holds a death-defying tale of gruesome gunshots, troublesome timepieces and a remarkable recovery, has been donated to the National Army Museum.

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Bergen belonging to Lance Corporal Chris Schivas, RAMC, c2010

Cutting Edge Technology

Bergen belonging to Lance Corporal Chris Schivas, RAMC, c2010

A recently acquired medical rucksack, complete with a 'bone drill' which injects pain relief straight through the bone and into the marrow of the severely injured, is a stark reminder of the dangers facing the soldiers on duty in Afghanistan...

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Service tunic worn by Captain George Johnson at the Somme, 1 July 1916

Bloodstained Tunic Tells of Struggle on the Somme

Service tunic worn by Captain George Johnson at the Somme, 1 July 1916

Captain George Johnson wore this service tunic on the first day of the Battle of the Somme (1 July 1916). Torn and bloodstained, it serves as evidence of the bitter struggle fought on the Western Front during the First World War.

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Embroidered Christmas postcard, 1916

'Chrismas' on the Western Front

Embroidered Christmas postcard, 1916

A First World War Christmas card sent by front-line soldier Holly Chrismas to his sweetheart at home reflects the keen feelings of separation experienced by soldiers during the festive season.

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King Charles I, c1640

Rogues' Gallery of Regicides Marks Parliament Week

King Charles I, c1640

To mark this year’s Parliament Week (19-25 November) the National Army Museum presents a rogues' gallery of regicides. These 17th-century parliamentarians signed the death warrant of King Charles I. Many of them lost their own lives as a result...

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Second Lieutenant Noel Evans, 5th Division, Royal Field Artillery, c1918

A Tragic End As Peace Begins

Second Lieutenant Noel Evans, 5th Division, Royal Field Artillery, c1918

To mark Armistice Day we have delved into our archive to find a story that underlines the poignancy of this solemn occasion. It recalls the untimely death of 19-year-old Second Lieutenant Noel Evans on the morning the Armistice was signed.

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Your Paintings: A collaboration between the PCF, the BBC and public collections

Major Military Masterpieces Now Online

Your Paintings: A collaboration between the PCF, the BBC and public collections

The National Army Museum’s oil paintings are the latest collection to go online as part of 'Your Paintings', an ambitious joint initiative between the Public Catalogue Foundation (PCF), the BBC and participating collections and museums from...

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RSPCA Band of Mercy medal, belonging to Private PJL Poole, ASC, 1914-20

RSPCA 'Band of Mercy' Medal: Animal Welfare from Boyhood to the Battlefield

RSPCA Band of Mercy medal, belonging to Private PJL Poole, ASC, 1914-20

Learn more about the RSPCA 'Band of Mercy' medal and the role of the RSPCA during World War One (1914-18), as featured in the latest of our 'War Horse: Fact & Fiction' blog posts.

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