Explore

Delve deeper into stories of the Army and its soldiers, exploring events across the globe and down the centuries.

Journal of an unknown soldier of the 100th Regiment of Foot, c1786
A Soldier's Life

In Their Own Words: Unknown Soldier of the 100th Foot

A journal by an unknown private of the 100th Foot, documenting his time in India during the Second Mysore War (1780-84), tells a remarkable story of adventure and survival.
Find out more
Explore by theme
British Indian operations against Indonesian nationalists in Java, c1945

On This Day: November 1945

In November 1945, British soldiers were still engaged in fierce fighting across parts of Asia. Meanwhile, the complex legacies of the Second World War came to the fore in two historic series of trials.

Journal of an unknown soldier of the 100th Regiment of Foot, c1786

In Their Own Words: Unknown Soldier of the 100th Foot

A journal by an unknown private of the 100th Foot, documenting his time in India during the Second Mysore War (1780-84), tells a remarkable story of adventure and survival.

Subedar Makhmad Anwar IDSM, 2/15th Punjab Regiment, c1939

Subedar Makhmad Anwar

Makhmad Anwar was captured by the Japanese following the Fall of Singapore in 1942. His story highlights the distinct treatment of Indian prisoners during the Second World War.

‘British Forces Land on the Nicobar Islands’, October 1945

On This Day: October 1945

In October 1945, British Army soldiers were on deployment all across the globe as the complex repercussions of the Second World War took centre stage.

Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment, with a local girl in Burma, 1945

On This Day: September 1945

In September 1945, the Second World War officially came to an end. As a result, the British Army’s role at home and abroad was transformed.

3rd Commando Brigade escorts captured Japanese soldiers, Hong Kong, 15 September 1945

Aftermath: September – December 1945

By September 1945, the Allies' full focus was on building a sustainable peace. During the final months of the year, British soldiers faced all manner of new challenges arising from the aftermath of the Second World War.

Lance Corporal Ethan Fagon, 1969

In Their Own Words: Corporal Ethan Fagon

Jamaican-born Ethan Fagon saw extensive service around the world between 1961 and 1983. A skilled infantry soldier and storeman, and an excellent marksman, he also had a rebellious and fun-loving character, as revealed in an interview recorded in 2008.

Detail from a commemorative poster to mark the 50th anniversary of VE/VJ Day, 1995

Victory over Japan

On 15 August 1945, the British government broadcast news of Japan’s unconditional surrender. This date was declared Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) and people from all walks of life celebrated the official end of the Second World War.

Soldiers of the 25th Indian Division searching Japanese troops after their surrender in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, 1945

On This Day: August 1945

In August 1945, Britain celebrated Victory over Japan. Yet, with local conflicts erupting across Asia and tremendous problems to tackle in Europe, the Army’s work was far from done.

Churchill, Truman and Stalin at the Potsdam Conference, 23 July 1945

On This Day: July 1945

In July 1945, Allied leaders assembled at Potsdam to finalise their plans for postwar Europe. The discussions were held as news emerged that the United States had successfully tested a new superweapon.

Private Matthew Tuck's diary, c1882

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.

Portrait of Magdalene De Lancey, c1808

In Their Own Words: Lady Magdalene De Lancey

Magdalene De Lancey tended to her dying husband after he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Waterloo. Her poignant account of these events is now regarded as a literary classic.

Stories of remembrance

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.

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.

Story

The Unknown Warrior

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.