This gallery explores the Army's home service from the 1600s to the present day. It begins by examining its role in the conflicts and political turmoil that created modern Britain, before outlining its ongoing efforts to defend against external and internal threats.
It showcases how soldiers have cultivated a national identity through shared service, ceremonial duties and acts of remembrance. It also explores the Army's impact on local communities, from building fortifications and barracks in our towns and countryside, to supporting our public services in times of emergency.
In times of war, many of those who guarded the nation's shores were part-time. By taking on home duties, they allowed full-time soldiers to focus on their European and global commitments. The gallery highlights this long tradition of 'citizen soldiers' in Britain.
It also focuses on the rich ceremonial heritage of the Army, and its role in preserving the public rituals that continue to bind us together.