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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.
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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.

Battle of Isandlwana, 1879

Restoring Isandlwana

'The Battle of Isandlwana' is one of our most popular artworks. But a few years back, this iconic painting needed some tender loving conservation.

Lawrence of Arabia, 1919

Lawrence of Arabia: The man behind the robes

Few British soldiers have a greater legend attached to them than Colonel TE Lawrence - better known as Lawrence of Arabia.

Marengo's skull

Marengo’s makeover

We sent Napoleon's horse Marengo to the Natural History Museum to prepare him for display in the new galleries.

Messenger pigeon, 1917

The British Army entrusted its secrets to birdbrains

During the First World War, the Army often relied on pigeons to deliver important military information. These birds quickly gained a reputation as one of the most reliable forms of communication.

Major Bronco Lane, 1970s

‘Bronco’ Lane: Everest adventurer

Adventure training is an important part of life in the modern British Army, but it comes with its own risks. Major 'Bronco' Lane lost more than he bargained for on an expedition to Mount Everest in 1976.

Florence Nightingale at Scutari, 1856

Florence Nightingale: The Lady with the Lamp

Florence Nightingale was a legend in her own lifetime and one of the most famous women in British history.

Jimson the mule

Britain’s most highly decorated mule

Jimson was the beloved mascot of 2nd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. He was 'awarded' medals for service in India and the Boer War.

Jimi Hendrix, 1967

How the Army inspired the anti-establishment

Dizzying changes to the political situation in post-war Britain prompted the rise of a unique youth culture in the 1960s.

National Servicemen, 1954

The National Service experience

For some, National Service was a horrible experience. For others, it was a time of great adventure and camaraderie.

Boarding the troopship ‘Nevasa’ on route to Malaya, 1957

What was National Service?

National Service, a standardised form of peacetime conscription, came into force in 1949 for all able-bodied men between the ages of 17 and 21.

Scottish poppy

Scottish poppy blooms again

Artificial poppies were first sold in Britain in 1921 and have since become one of the main symbols of Remembrance. This Scottish poppy dates from the early days of the Poppy Appeal.

Stories of remembrance

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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.

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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.

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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.