• 10.00am - 5.30pm
  • FREE
  • Chelsea, London
National Army Museum
  • 10.00am - 5.30pm
  • FREE
  • Chelsea, London

Global Role gallery

Exploring the age of empire in Global Role gallery

Explore the global role of Britain’s armies from the age of empire to the modern day.

About the gallery

Britain’s soldiers have deployed to territories on almost every continent.

The Global Role gallery looks at their contribution to the accumulation and defence of Britain's overseas possessions, before examining the withdrawal from empire that began in the wake of the Second World War (1939-45).

The focus then turns to the international crises of the modern era, from the Korean War (1950-53) to the recent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Duration: Around 45 minutes
  • Access: Via the main lift
  • Location: Floor 2
Plan your visit
Modern uniforms, kit and equipment on display in Global Role gallery

No other country’s soldiers have served in so many different parts of the world.

Many of the objects in this gallery were collected by soldiers deployed overseas and reflect the interactions they had with a wide range of peoples and cultures.

These soldiers came from all corners of the world and the displays reflect the huge diversity in Britain's armies.

Uniforms case in Global Role gallery
Uniforms on display in Global Role gallery
Skull of Plassey the tiger, mascot of the Royal Madras Fusiliers, in Global Role gallery
Tipu Sultan's war turban in Global Role gallery

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"First time @NAM_London today. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thought the presentation & interpretation made the subject accessible..."