On display at the museum, for all to see, is one of the finest collections of military artefacts. These tell the story of a regiment that has participated in many of the great events of British History in the last 300 years.
The focal point of the museum is the Zulu War Room. The exploits of the 24th Regiment during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War are legendary. Queen Victoria referred her regiment as ‘The Noble 24th’. American writer Donald Morris, in his book “The Washing of the Spears”, told the story of this brief campaign; and Stanley Baker developed worldwide interest with his movie “Zulu” in which the events surrounding the heroic defence of Rorke’s Drift by B Company, 2/24th Regiment were recreated. Our Zulu War Room tells this compelling story of personal courage for all to see.
Other displays cover the involvement of the South Wales Borderers, Welch Regiment and Monmouthshire Regiment in the two World Wars. Many of the items have interesting, compelling and unusual stories to tell.
We have one of the finest collections of firepower that traces the development of soldiers’ weapons from the 18th Century to the present day.
Our Medal Room contains over 3,000 medals; each was earned in difficult and challenging circumstances; many soldiers made the ultimate personal sacrifice of their lives for these awards. Come and understand the individual stories behind the award of the eighteen Victoria Crosses, Britain’s highest award for gallantry, held in the collection.
Pictures and paintings, dioramas and drums, assegais and ammunition, buttons, badges and uniforms all combine to form a vivid image of life as a soldier; the young visitor can even try on a uniform red jacket and helmet to feel what was like to be a soldier in Victorian times – we have things to interest everybody of all ages.
