The Gurkha Museum facts for kids
Peninsula Barracks
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| Established | 1974 |
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| Location | Peninsula Barracks, Winchester, United Kingdom |
| Type | Military |
The Gurkha Museum is a special place that celebrates the brave Gurkha soldiers. These soldiers have served the British Crown (which means the British Royal Family and government) for a very long time, since 1815. The museum is in Winchester, a city in Hampshire, England. It is also part of a group of museums called Winchester's Military Museums.
Contents
History of the Gurkha Museum
Early Days in Church Crookham
The Gurkha Museum first opened its doors on 21 June 1974. It was located at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Church Crookham. A famous military leader, Field Marshal Lord Harding, officially opened it. The museum was in a wooden building, which was not meant to be its forever home. Everyone knew it would need a bigger, more permanent place soon.
Moving to Winchester
A great chance came when the Rifle Depot at Peninsula Barracks in Winchester closed down. This allowed the museum to move there. In April 1989, the museum in Church Crookham closed. All the items and displays were carefully moved to Winchester. On 16 July 1990, Field Marshal Lord Bramall officially opened the museum in its new home.
Gurkha Museum in Nepal
In 1994, another Gurkha Museum was set up in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Later, in 2005, this museum moved to Pokhara. It has now become one of the most popular places to visit in that area.
What You Can See at the Museum
The Gurkha Museum has many exciting things to see and learn from. You can find:
- Displays and Scenes: These are like 3D pictures that show you what life was like for Gurkha soldiers.
- Interactive Screens: You can touch these screens to learn more about different topics.
- Videos and Sounds: These help you learn about Nepal and the amazing military history of the Gurkhas.
Gurkha Military History
The museum tells the story of how Gurkha soldiers served the British Crown in many wars and battles. It highlights their bravery, including the 26 Victoria Crosses they have been awarded. The Victoria Cross is the highest award for bravery in the British military.
Gurkha Regiments
You can also learn about the four main Gurkha regiments that joined the British Army in 1948:
- The Royal Gurkha Rifles
- The Queen's Gurkha Engineers
- The Queen's Gurkha Signals
- The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment
Research and Learning
On the second floor of the museum, there is a special area. It has a library, archives (old records), and a research room. This is where people can study and learn even more about the Gurkhas.
