Global Role

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Global Role gallery

This gallery looks at the deployment of Britain’s armies around the world, from the age of empire to the modern day. Many of the objects on display were collected by soldiers and reflect their interactions with different cultures and customs.

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The Storming and Capture of the North Fort, Peiho, on 21 August, 1860

Second China War

Between 1856 and 1860, British-Indian forces joined the French in a military expedition against Imperial China. Their victory further opened up China to Western traders and greatly weakened the Qing dynasty's imperial regime.

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Troops of the Royal West African Frontier Force in the Arakan, Burma, 1944

This painting by Captain Hugh Micklem depicts West African soldiers on campaign in Burma (now Myanmar) during the Second World War.

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Detail from the painting 'Inside Mastiff 33A'

Inside Mastiff 33A (‘Withdrawing, We Don’t Retreat’), February 2010

This painting by Jules George captures the claustrophobic conditions inside a British patrol vehicle during the war in Afghanistan.

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Egyptian campaign

From 1798 to 1801, an Anglo-Ottoman alliance competed with the French for control of Egypt. Their victory resulted in French troops withdrawing from the region and also helped safeguard Britain's possessions on the Indian subcontinent.

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Detail from painting of the Battle of Isandlwana

The Battle of Isandlwana, 22 January 1879

One of our most popular paintings is a depiction of the Battle of Isandlwana by Charles Fripp. Here, we take a closer look at the artwork to discover more about this infamous British defeat.

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Officers and non-commissioned officers of the 2nd Devonshire Regiment, Wuutho, Burma, 1891

Third Burma War

Following a series of fractious disputes, the British invaded Upper Burma in late 1885 and overthrew its king. While the country was quickly annexed to British India, a guerrilla war ensued that rumbled on for the best part of a decade.

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The 18th and 80th Regiments storming the Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon, 1852

Second Burma War

This brief conflict in 1852-53 was largely provoked by the East India Company, which was hungry for new territory and resources like teak and rubber. It ended in a British victory and saw Lower Burma become a province of British India.

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The British landing at Rangoon, 11 May 1824

First Burma War

Frontier clashes between British India and the Burmese Empire escalated into a full-blown war that lasted from 1824 to 1826. This conflict resulted in parts of Burma coming under the control of the East India Company.

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Transvaal War

In 1880-81, the British fought a brief war against the Transvaal Boers in South Africa. The Boers had rebelled against British control and went on to inflict several stinging defeats during their successful fight for independence.

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Jacket worn by Captain John Malcolmson VC, c1860

Wool, wax and whalebone: Preparing a uniform for display

Our conservation team describes some of the essential work required to get one of the highlights of the Global Role gallery ready for display.

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16th Regiment of Bengal Lancers at the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, 1900

The Boxer Rebellion

In 1900, British and Indian troops joined an international expedition sent to relieve the diplomatic quarter of Beijing, which was under siege by the 'Boxers' and their Imperial Chinese allies.

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Armies of the East India Company

Originally formed to trade in Asia, the East India Company came to rule large areas of the Indian subcontinent, exercising military power through its formidable armed forces.

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Explore Global Role events

North American display in the Global Role gallery

Tour At Museum

9 December 2023, 11.00am

FREE

The Global History of the British Army: BSL Tour

Join expert guide Edward Richards for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour examining the global role of the British Army.

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Detail from 'Reception of the Mysorean Hostage Princes', c1793

Tour At Museum

20 January 2024, 12.00pm

£5.00

Curator Tour: The Army Around the World

Join curator Anna Lavelle as she highlights a range of artworks portraying the Army’s global deployments.

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British memorial at the UN cemetery in Korea

Talk At Museum / Online

2 February 2024, 12.00pm

FREE

Honouring Our Fallen: British Servicemen in the Korean War

Hear from former diplomat Martin Uden as he remembers the soldiers who served in Korea and are now buried at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan.

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Charge of the 3rd King's Own Light Dragoons at Chillianwala, 1849

Talk At Museum / Online

22 March 2024, 12.00pm

FREE

The Second Sikh War

Amarpal Singh Sidhu explores the complex and often-overlooked history of the Second Sikh War and the lasting effect it had on the region in which it was fought.

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Gurkhas resting during the Imphal-Kohima battle, 1944

Spotlight At Museum

20 - 21 April 2024

£15.00

Kohima 80th Anniversary Weekend

The Kohima Educational Trust is busy assembling a stellar line-up of speakers for a weekend of talks to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima.

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Explore Global Role learning resources

Trail

KS4-KS5 (Ages 14 to 16+)

Army and Empire: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail to find out more about the Army’s role in the British Empire.

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Global Role

Global Role gallery

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