Explore

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

VE Day celebrations at Nairobi, Kenya, May 1945
War and Peace

On This Day: May 1945

In May 1945, the Allies celebrated Victory in Europe. While the war in Japan was still to be won, attention also turned to the challenges of the peace, not least the return home of millions of soldiers.
Find out more
Explore by theme
The Connaught Rangers

The Connaught Rangers

The Connaught Rangers was an Irish infantry regiment of the British Army, which mainly recruited in the west of Ireland.

Other ranks’ cap badge of The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), c1902

The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

The Black Watch can trace its origins back to the early 18th century. It went on to fight in nearly all the British Army's campaigns and is now part of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Other ranks’ cap badge, worn by Sergeant R Williams, The Welsh Regiment, c1900

The Welch Regiment

This infantry unit was created in 1881 and recruited in Camarthenshire, Glamorganshire and Pembrokeshire. It served with the British Army until 1969, when it became part of The Royal Regiment of Wales.

The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

The Royal Fusiliers was an infantry regiment dating back to 1685. It was the first British Army regiment to be designated as fusiliers and later became the city regiment for London.

Cap badge of the Royal Artillery, c1903

Royal Artillery

The Royal Regiment of Artillery is the artillery arm of the British Army and has been in official service since 1716. It has participated in every campaign in which the Army has been involved.

Other ranks’ glengarry badge, The Highland Light Infantry, c1900

The Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881 and drew its recruits mainly from Glasgow and the Scottish Lowlands. It merged with The Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1959 to become The Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Other ranks’ cap badge, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own)

The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own)

The Middlesex Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, created in 1881 and amalgamated in 1966 into The Queen’s Regiment.

Other ranks’ cap badge, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, c1918

Royal Army Ordnance Corps

The Royal Army Ordnance Corps was the body charged with supplying weapons, ammunition and equipment to the British Army.

Sherwood Foresters

The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)

This infantry regiment was formed in 1881. After nearly 90 years of British Army service, it merged with The Worcestershire Regiment in 1970. Its traditions are now continued by The Mercian Regiment.

Cap Badge, Royal Army Service Corps, c1940

Royal Army Service Corps

The Royal Army Service Corps was the unit responsible for keeping the British Army supplied with provisions.

Thin Red Line, 1854

Battle of Balaklava

The Battle of Balaklava in 1854 witnessed one of the most famous acts of battlefield bravery and one of the most infamous blunders in military history.

A soldier en route to Sicily, 1943

Second World War

The Second World War (1939-45) was the bloodiest conflict in human history. It split the world's nations into two opposing military alliances - the Allies and the Axis Powers.

Stories of alliance

Story

With friends like these: The Americans

In this video, we look at how changing national interests have affected Britain's military relationship with the United States from the 18th century to the present day.

Story

With friends like these: The Russians

In this video, we look at how changing national interests have affected Britain's military relationship with Russia from the 18th century to the present day.

Story

With friends like these: The French

In this video, we look at how changing national interests have affected Britain's military relationship with France from the 17th century to the present day.