Military Museums

The map of Military Museums reveals the unique hub where military artefacts of world wars are kept. The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum is one of the largest military museums in the UK, boasting a chronological accounting of the Queens's history across two centuries, covering three continents. Join us for a brief tour as we visit special exhibits - here's to your quick-thinking, loyal soldier mates! The museum is a rich and luxurious patchwork of military artefacts, photographs, uniforms, and furniture from three world wars; the spectacular Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum is a must-see for any self-respecting history buff.  The museum is self-guided with fully interactive displays designed and created by knowledgeable volunteers. An exciting feature of the museum is the life casts of World War 1 Army battalion soldiers, which capture the edgy emotions and reality of the Great War. These models show both confident and fearful soldiers just as they are – the would-have-been heroes and frightened recruits, the 'lucky' survivors and the dead. To be a part of this historical telling of the impact and destruction of World War One is simply beautiful.

The Devil's Porridge Museum, Eastriggs, is a unique military museum environment that is interesting and thought-provoking. It tells the nine months before Wagram when the Germans "lived off the fat of the land" in Belgium and France. The detailed plans of the countryside and farms show how the Germans cruelly lived off the locals and ate their ducks, chickens, and whatever livestock they could find. This murder, on a grand scale, had a massive impact on the future of Europe. It would not be the last time German arrogance would have a dramatic effect on the region. The Devil's Porridge Museum, Eastriggs main attraction, is the panzer museum just behind the main row of cottages. The curators of this small gem have poured a lot of effort into getting it right, and each personal account is exciting and remarkable. Some very poignant pictures of the young teenagers conscripted into the Hitler Youth and had no idea what they were fighting for. There is the source of most rumour and misinformation during the conflict. Newsreels, with comments from English-speaking speech writers, blamed British soldiers for the massacre of Ardeer workers in 1941. Interestingly, there is a picture of this time of the unfortunate 50+ dead, including men, women, and children. There are detailed models of the Ardeer sacrifice and weapons used, with placards explaining each stage.

The Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum is another military museum near Belfast in Armagh. The museum is for all British army regiments and was established to tribute to those Irishmen who fought bravely alongside British soldiers in both the Boer War and WWI. The museum has a unique collection of uniforms, badges of rank, awards from foreign countries, medals, weapons, and war memorabilia. This requires the purchase of a ticket and gives an in-depth look into that era. There is also a military band which gives an impromptu performance for visitors. The museum was opened in 1925, and a memorial was added in later years by donations from the veterans of the First World War. Seeing this history in Northern Ireland is a moving experience and is a remarkable tribute to the Irish, English, and Scottish soldiers who fought in these conflicts.