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

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

War and Peace

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.

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Glengarry badge, 84th (York and Lancaster) Regiment, c1874

84th (York and Lancaster) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1793. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 65th (2nd Yorkshire, North Riding) Regiment to form The York and Lancaster Regiment.

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.

Other ranks' glengarry badge, 65th (2nd Yorkshire, North Riding) Regiment, c1874

65th (2nd Yorkshire, North Riding) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1758. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 84th (York and Lancaster) Regiment of Foot to form The York and Lancaster Regiment.

3rd County of London Crusader tank and crew, Libya, 1941

The Sale Collection: Operation Crusader

In the fourth instalment, we explore the wartime exploits of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry in 1941. During this time, the men of the unit underwent a baptism of fire in the Libyan desert.

58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1755. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot to form The Northamptonshire Regiment.

48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1741. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot to form The Northamptonshire Regiment.

Cap badge, other ranks, King’s Regiment (Liverpool), c1927

The King’s Regiment (Liverpool)

This infantry unit was raised in 1685 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1958, it was amalgamated with The Manchester Regiment to form The King’s Regiment (Manchester and Liverpool).

The King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)

This infantry unit was raised in 1680 and subsequently served in many British Army campaigns during its long history. In 1959, it was amalgamated with The Border Regiment to form The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment.

The Border Regiment

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1959, when it merged with The King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) to form The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment.

34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was first raised in 1702. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot to form The Border Regiment.

Other ranks’ glengarry badge, 55th (Westmorland) Regiment, c1874

55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot

This infantry regiment was raised in 1755. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot to form The Border Regiment.

Cap badge, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, c1916

The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. After transferring from the Light Infantry Brigade to the Green Jackets Brigade in 1958, it merged with two other regiments to form The Royal Green Jackets in 1966.

Stories of alliance

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