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

No 3 Commando disembarking at Tilbury Docks, June 1945

War and Peace

On This Day: June 1945

In June 1945, the British Army reached its wartime peak of 3.1 million soldiers. Troops were deployed all over the world on military, peacekeeping, administrative and occupational missions.

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3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) keeping fit on board HMT 'Orion' en route to Egypt, 1941

The Sale Collection: Voyaging to war

In the third instalment, we explore the exploits of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry in 1941 as they travel around Africa en route to the desert war in Egypt and Libya.

The coffin of the Unknown Warrior borne in a wagon with a guard of Allied soldiers, 10 November 1920

The Unknown Warrior: A mystery solved

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.

The East Lancashire Regiment

This infantry regiment was created in 1881. It continued in British Army service until 1958, when it was amalgamated with The South Lancashire Regiment to form The Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers).

30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment of Foot

Raised in 1689, this infantry regiment served in many campaigns until the 1881 Army reforms, when it was merged into The East Lancashire Regiment.

Lieutenant-General John Manners, Marquess of Granby, c1763

Marquess of Granby: The benevolent soldier

Lieutenant-General John Manners, Marquess of Granby, acquired his reputation for courage and leadership during the Seven Years War. His popularity was also founded upon his well-known generosity and concern for the welfare of his men.

British troops taking part in NATO's Exercise Lionheart in Germany, 1984

Active Edge: The Army, Germany and the Cold War

In 1945, British troops occupied Germany alongside their wartime Soviet allies. But growing East-West tensions soon evolved into the Cold War. For the next four decades, soldiers in Germany prepared to face an attack by the Warsaw Pact.

59th (2nd Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1755. It continued in British Army service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated with the 30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment of Foot to form The East Lancashire Regiment.

The Manchester Regiment

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. It went on to serve in many British Army campaigns until 1958, when it was merged into The King’s Regiment (Manchester and Liverpool).

Other ranks' glengarry badge, 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment, c1874

63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1758. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged with the 96th Regiment to form The Manchester Regiment.

96th Regiment of Foot

This infantry unit was raised in 1824. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged with the 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment to form The Manchester Regiment.

Civilians gathered around British tanks, Hamburg, May 1945

The Army and the occupation of Germany

Following their victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, the Allies were faced with administering a country in ruins. British soldiers had a leading role in this, helping to hunt war criminals, rebuild industry and help displaced persons.

Operation Barras

In September 2000, British troops undertook a daring hostage rescue operation in the war-torn West African country of Sierra Leone. They successfully freed five British soldiers who had recently been captured and around 20 civilian prisoners.

Stories of alliance

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