Hello Everyone! While visiting the National Army Museum I took a number of photographs for this blog. I visited the museum nearly ten years ago, before its refurbishment. Before it had the slight taste of a regimental museum, packed with exhibits, a few of which had seen better days, but overall it was a great visit. I was expecting a revamped museum but hoped that things had not been too commercialized or made too 'PC' feeling that although this may make things more palatable for the general public historical fact may have been 'airbrushed' out.
The exhibits followed a different theme on each floor, in a light and airy environment. Things were more interactive and easy to follow. However there were noticeably less exhibits on display due to this but what was seen was well set out and well explained.
Dated c1800's I assume that this despatch case did not carry the Waterloo despatches. It looked like it was made from a 'oilskin' material. As you can see there is plenty of light in the museum, to take photographs, and the building is very open plan.
Wellington's cloak was also on display. It had obviously faded considerable. I have seen recorded in a number of sources that cloaks work by the Duke were various shades of blue, grey and black. This could have originally been any of these! However it was in very good condition for its age.
Next a bust of the man who gave us a whole period of military history. The description spoke of Napoleon in a positive light. This was also the case when I visited the Museum at Waterloo, (There is a massive thirty foot high picture of Napoleon as Emperor). Neither make any note of the hundreds of thousand of people who died because of his
actions. However those were very different times top ours and there is no knowing if someone else would step in' in his place?
An exhibit I remember from my previous visit to the museum. The skeleton of Napoleon's horse, Marengo. I was unable to ascertain the exact shade of white/grey he was!
This Siborne's Waterloo diorama. This is behind large glass panels and is absolutely exceptional. I cannot remember seeing this before, on my previous visit. This exhibit has a long and controversial history but is certainly worth seeing.
Here are a few more photographs of this epic work.
And a view of The Duke of Wellington.
Now on the the Colonial period. I always wondered what a Martini Henry bullet looked like. Although I could not pick it up it looked easily susceptible to damage, but was BIG!
A uniform of the 24th foot was also on display complete with Martini Henry rifle and various paraphernalia'
This painting 'The Battle of Isandlwana' by Charles Fripp, has been on display at the National Army Museum. It has been recently restored. You can get really close to the painting. There are so many small vignettes to the overall work, which you can see clearly. Individual figures stand out from the painting. The soldier above and the young boy pointing, but even in the background there are fighting scenes which show the desperation of the battle.
The picture is well lit, but I was unable to remove any glare from the lighting while taking these photos, being a novice when taking pictures under these conditions.
Now having a Health Practitioner background I was interested to see a Napoleonic medical kit. Although looking rather gruesome there is very little difference between what was on display and what is used now. An appreciation of germ theory, sepsis and battlefield evacuation has greatly improved survivability of modern day battlefield wounds the treatment of longer term PTSD is still sadly lacking.
Another medical based exhibit, again composed of instruments very similar to
Medals from the 'This Red Line' An impressive display of battle clasps from two separate campaigns.
From the inventor of the belt, not the pop star!
Forward to the Second World War. Here is an immotive subject and the main reason why I do not wargame this particular part of the Second World War. Having met a former Japanese prisoner of war and him discussing his experiences I prefer not to game this area.
Back to the First World War with gas hood. With the small eye holes and claustrophobic nature I would have been rather glad of my S6 and S10 respirator.
This is a paper lantern used by Florence Nightingale. She was based at Scutari Hospital during the Crimean war. I cannot see how this was practical with a lighted candle inside and it was not strong enough for a proper lantern inside.
Anyone who has ever worked in an operating theatre would know who Sir Harold Gillies was. When I previously visited the NAM I saw an exhibition describing battlefield anaesthesia. That included a video showing Ivan Magill intubating a patient with a red rubber tube! On this visit medical kits both past and modern were on show. The above is a map showing how to provide skin flaps to repair facial injury.
Patient histories were recorded on uniforms to help surgeons decide what was the best treatment.
Onto the English Civil War now. It was surprising to see such an old and fragile item still in existence.
A little closer to my own interests was the Regimental Colour of the 57th Regiment as carried by the Regiment at the Battle of Albuera. Of particular interest to me as I have a framed copy of 'Steady the Drums and Fifes' by Lady Butler and my wife's grand father served in the same regiment during the Second World War.
I did not expect to find this. I visited Edinburgh Castle many years ago and saw the Eagle and standard of the 45th Line, so here is the other Eagle and flag captured at Waterloo.
The flag has faded considerably but close up you can still see the tricoleur colours.
There is also a glass display which has an array of Napoleonic headwear. This caught my eye as there is also one in Edinburgh Castle.
World War One now. A part of a trench sign board. It is possible to make out 'Hellfire Corner' through the front.
An exhibit from a more well known character from the American War of Independence. I took this photo mainly for the colour reference. Considering its age and the fragile material it is made from this is in very good condition.
A loverly set of Crimean war medals. As it was displayed in such a small case it was very difficult to eliminate the glare from the lighting.
Here is a collection of medals for those interested in the Napoleonic wars. Recently on Antiques Roadshow a Maida Medal appeared and was valued at many tens of thousands of pounds. Here is the one in the NAM. This was a limited issue, mainly due to the fact the battle was small in comparison to other Napoleonic battle but also because I believe it was only awarded to officers, (?). The full collection is very impressive and makes a change to be able to get so close to these exhibits.
Now WW I. My grand Father served in Mesopotamia, during the end of World War One, so this exhibit caught my eye. Also the small rectangle front and centre of the picture holds the bullet mentioned in the caption.
A more gory subject now, with John Fraser's leg bone, which he kept for more than sentimental reasons!
Many have heard of such an occurence. Here is one for real!
Although it is difficult to judge scale I am sure the internet in replete with dimensions for this cannon. Also the colour of the bronze was interesting as it was nowhere as 'rich' a tone as I would have thought.
I have never seen this many bars on a General Service Medal. On a previous visit to the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum there was a medal which came close. Very impressive and having visited the British hospital at Waterloo, (part of which is now a restaurant), I felt his was particularly interesting.
Overall this was a worthwhile visit. However in comparison to my original visit, before the building was renovated, many exhibits have disappeared and the exhibition has taken on a more general public friendly feel. While there are more of the general public than individuals that are more wargamers or have a more in depth vested interest in military history, there is a definite step down from what was on show before. I hope this more modern approach benefits the museum as a whole and the light and airey feel to the new building is much more welcoming.
