ABOUT THE MUSEUM
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| Situated adjacent to Winchester’s
Great Hall and within easy walking
distance of the City centre, The Royal
Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, opened in
1989, is one of the best regimental
museums in the Country. It is also one
of Winchester’s five military museums.
Visited by thousands every year, the
Museum records, visually, graphically
and entertainingly, the history of three
of the finest and most famous regiments
in the British Army. |
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What's on Offer
Laid out chronologically, the Museum’s displays
tell of the part played by the regiments in
campaigning for peace over two and half
centuries, and how the regiments’ approach to
soldiering and readiness to adopt new ideas were
often ahead of the rest. The Museum also
provides a fitting focus on courage with a
special Victoria Cross display, including a touch
screen giving visitors access to detailed
information about the actions and personal
histories of each of the regiments’ 59 Victoria
Cross winners. |
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Among other popular
attractions, the Waterloo diorama is a favourite.
It features a 22 square metre model of the
battlefield with 22,000 model soldiers and horses,
plus a 7 minute sound and light commentary
describing what happened on 18 June 1815, the day
of the battle. |
The Baker Rifle range is another
favourite, particularly among the young, who
relish the opportunity to fire at realistic
targets using a laser-fitted, replica Baker rifle
as used during the Peninsular War (1808-14) by the
legendary 95th Rifles – Sharpe’s Rifles in the
1993 TV drama series. |
The
Victoria Cross display includes a touch
screen giving visitors access to detailed
information about the actions and personal
histories of each of the regiments’ 59 Victoria
Cross winners including medal groups of Major
Billy Congreve VC DSO MC and Sergeant Bill Gregg
VC DCM MM of The Rifle Brigade. |
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The uniform worn by ‘Andy McNab’ DCM MM of Bravo
Two Zero fame when he was a prisoner of the Iraqis
during the first Gulf War (1991). |
The 1908 Aintree Grand National Trophy awarded to
Major Douglas-Pennant of The King’s Royal Rifle
Corps, the owner of the winning horse (Rubio). |
The lead lined teapoy used by Napoleon during
his captivity on St Helena (1815 - 21)
which was retrieved by one of his gaolers and donated to the
Museum in 2001. |
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"The Museum was really interesting. I learned so much
while I was there. My son, aged 12,
was with me and
he enjoyed it, especially the rifle range and the
children’s object trail.
The museum staff went out
of their way to be helpful." (Comment from a 2007
visitor) |
The Museum regularly organises
special events, such as exhibitions, lectures
and ‘Fun for All’ days during school children’s
holidays .
In total there are over 40,000 objects of
considerable historical interest in the Museum,
including uniforms, medals, weapons, silver,
paintings and other items.
The Museum also has a substantial collection of
archival material – letters, diaries, maps,
documents and photographs – which may be viewed by
appointment. Museum personnel are sometimes able
to undertake research on behalf of those unable to
visit. |
>> To Find Out What’s On
click here
>> To Plan Your Visit
click here
>>
For more information about the archives and
carrying out research click here
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