Staffordshire Regiment Museum facts for kids
Armoured vehicle display at the museum
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| Established | 1969 |
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| Location | Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Staffordshire |
The Staffordshire Regiment Museum is a special place in Staffordshire, England. It's a military museum that keeps alive the amazing history of the Staffordshire Regiment. This regiment was a group of soldiers from the British Army.
The museum also tells the stories of older regiments that came before it, and the Mercian Regiment which followed. You can learn about soldiers from 1705 all the way to today. The Staffordshire Regiment itself was formed in 1959. It brought together two older groups: the South Staffordshire Regiment and the North Staffordshire Regiment.
The museum is right next to Whittington Barracks. This was the home for the Staffordshire Regiment's ancestors since 1881. Today, it's where the Mercian Regiment has its main office. The museum is easy to find in Whittington, Staffordshire, near Lichfield and Tamworth. It's also close to the National Memorial Arboretum.
Discovering the Museum's History
The museum opened in its current buildings in 1969. Before that, there were two separate museums. One was for the North Staffordshire Regiment, and the other for the South Staffordshire Regiment. Both of these older museums started in the 1930s. They joined together to create the museum you see today.
Exploring the Exhibits
The museum has many exciting things to see. You can learn about different regiments and their brave soldiers. These include the 38th Regiment of Foot, 64th Regiment of Foot, 80th Regiment of Foot, and 98th Regiment of Foot. You'll also find exhibits from the North Staffordshire Regiment, the South Staffordshire Regiment, and the Staffordshire Regiment. Even the modern-day Mercian Regiment is featured.
Inside the Museum: A Journey Through Time
The main indoor part of the museum takes you on a journey through history. It shows uniforms, weapons, and other items in order from oldest to newest. You can see things from many different wars and places. These include India, Burma, the Crimea, Persia, South Africa, Egypt, and the Sudan.
There are also many items from the First World War and the Second World War. More recent displays cover the Regiment's time in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. You can even see a special officer's cap from around 1760. This is the oldest item in the collection.
The museum also proudly displays medals. These include medals from eight of the fourteen soldiers who won the Victoria Cross. This is a very important award for bravery. The museum has about 11,000 items in total.
Outdoor Adventures: Trenches and Vehicles
Outside the museum, there are even more things to explore.
The Coltman Trench: A World War I Experience
One of the most popular exhibits is a replica of a World War I trench. It's called the Coltman Trench. This trench is 100 meters long and 2 meters wide. It shows what it was like for soldiers living in the trenches.
The trench is named after Lance Corporal William Harold Coltman. He was a brave stretcher-bearer who won the Victoria Cross. Other parts of the trench are named after other Victoria Cross heroes from the Regiment.
Smart Street Shelter: A Glimpse into World War II
You can also visit the Smart Street Shelter. This is a recreation of a 1940s air raid shelter from the Second World War. It opened in 2017. Inside, you can hear sounds that make you feel like you are really experiencing "The Blitz." This was when cities were bombed during the war.
Military Vehicles and Weapons
The museum also has real military vehicles and weapons outside. You can see a Combat Anti-Tank Gun. There are also Armoured Fighting Vehicles like the FV432 Mk1 and the FV103 Spartan. You can even see an Iraqi MTLB and a Ferret armoured car.
The Remembrance Garden
The museum grounds also have a peaceful remembrance garden. It holds the original memorial for the Staffordshire Regiment. This memorial used to be at the National Memorial Arboretum. When a new memorial was built, the original one was moved here. Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, officially opened the garden on April 7, 2016.
Camp Fisher: An Adventure Playground
In 2019, the museum opened a fun military-style adventure playground called Camp Fisher. The main part of the playground is a life-size Warrior tracked armoured vehicle. It's set up like a Forward Operating Base from the recent Afghanistan war. The playground is dedicated to WO2 Ian Fisher. He was a soldier who died in Afghanistan in 2013.
The Staffordshire Regiment Museum is run by a charity called the Staffordshire Regiment Museum Trust.
Other Fun Activities
The museum offers many activities for visitors.
Events and Reenactments
They have a busy schedule of events. These often include historical re-enactment displays. Popular events are "World War I Night in the Trenches" and "Carols in the Trenches." These events help you imagine what life was like for soldiers.
Learning Programs
The museum also has a great Educational Programme for schools. It offers visits that fit with the National Curriculum for different age groups (Key Stage 1, 2, and 3). Students can learn about World War I, World War II, and the Victorian era.
There is also an Outreach Programme. This means museum staff can give talks about the Regiment's history at other locations.
Archives and Volunteers
The museum has a large collection of books, documents, and photos. These are available for people who want to do detailed research. Many of the museum's staff are volunteers. They help with the exhibits and educational programs. In 2013, the museum won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for its work with schools and youth groups.
Gallery
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The Staffordshire Regiment's cap-badge
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Display of weapons by a Second World War reenactor during an open day
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The Smart Street Shelter, a replica Second World War air-raid shelter
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Public tour of the Coltman Trench
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A First World War schools lesson
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Staffordshire Regiment Museum - Exterior
