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Royal Signals Museum facts for kids

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Royal Signals Museum
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Established 1930s (opened on present site 1967)
Location Blandford Camp, Tarrant Monkton, Dorset
Type Regimental museum

The Royal Signals Museum is a special military museum located at Blandford Camp in Dorset, England. It tells the amazing story of how the British Army has communicated during wars. You can learn about everything from the first telegraphs used in the Crimean War to the secret world of cryptography (code-making and breaking) and cyber warfare.

The Museum's Journey: A Brief History

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A Typex machine, a type of encryption device, on display at the museum.

The Royal Signals Museum first started in Catterick, North Yorkshire, back in the 1930s. It later moved to its current home at Blandford Camp in 1967. Thanks to a big fundraising effort that raised £1 million, a new part of the museum was built in 1995. All the exhibits were completely updated and made new by 1997. The museum officially reopened its doors in this new form on May 28, 1997. It is also a proud member of the Dorset Museums Association.

What You Can Discover: Amazing Collections

The museum has many interesting things to see, including both permanent and temporary displays. It holds the national collection of army communications equipment. This means it has a huge range of items showing how communication has worked in wars and military missions over the last 150 years.

Some of the cool objects you can find there include:

  • A special chair used by important Ashanti chiefs when they met in public. This chair was given to the museum in 1921.
  • Items worn by Eric Lomax when he was a prisoner of war during World War II.
  • The story of Pigeon NS 15125 William of Orange, a brave pigeon who received the Dickin Medal for its service.
  • A Ptarmigan message centre, which was a key communication system.
  • One of the very last cable wagons in the world, which was used by the army between 1911 and 1937.

In 2020, the museum launched a special exhibition called "History of the Royal Signals in 100 Objects." This exhibition celebrated 100 years of the Royal Corps of Signals.

Explore More

Find Out More Online

  • Museum website
  • Entry in the 24 Hour Museum
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Royal Signals Museum Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.