York Army Museum

Kerry Culbert discovers the history of regimental life for British soldiers spanning over 300 years

Tucked away opposite Clifford’s Tower in York is a museum that tells the stories of British Army soldiers from 1685 and, specifically, curates collections from The Royal Dragoon Guards and The Yorkshire Regiment.

Set in a modest building opposite Clifford’s Tower, York Army Museum tells the stories of British Army soldiers from 1685 and, specifically, curates collections from The Royal Dragoon Guards (1992 onwards) and The Yorkshire Regiment (2006 onwards). These regiments and their antecedents have taken part in the some of the most important battles from the Napoleonic period and the Crimean war right through to Afghanistan and Bosnia. There are regimental collections for all of the predecessors to the Dragoon Guards and the Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire for the Yorkshire Regiment. The other Yorkshire Regiment predecessors, the Green Howards and the Duke of Wellington’s Own are at museums in Richmond and Halifax.

Walking around the York museum, there is a medly of paintings, statues, flags and medals. Some are in display cases while other objects are meant for handling and closer inspection (though not at the moment obviously). Every facet of regimental life you can think of is displayed or depicted in many art mediums from statues to standards.

The cabinets are well lit so you see all this detail of regimental life then read the associated timeline which puts the exhibits into context for the time and any relevant battle.

Highlights include the Dettingen Standard, which is the oldest British cavalry standard and also, in 1743 at the battle of Dettingen, was the last time a British Monarch led troops into battle. The combination of text, the Standard and a painting of the battle illustrate the honour that Standards still represent for British Army soldiers.

Another interesting piece of militaria is General Scarlet’s helmet that was worn at the Battle of Balaclava, in the Crimean War, while under heavy barrage from the Russians. There’s a sword indentation in it that graphically illustrates the fierce fighting that took place.

Meanwhile, everyday objects like a tank cooking vessel show the practical necessities of heating a cup of tea and explaining how the relative safety of the tank had to be left to brew up in WWII. There are also displays showing the modern soldier’s kit when going to war, from bullet-proof vest to rifle. You can try on camouflage jackets yourself to get an idea of what is worn in different terrain.

A flag created for D-Day from 1944 is another interesting part of the collection. Members of the Women’s Voluntary Services were stationed near the 2nd

East Yorkshire Battalion at Waterlooville and embroidered the white rose of Yorkshire on the flag. An anchor motif shows the part played by the Royal Navy in securing the landings. The flag itself signalled a rallying point for landing the Battalion HQ.

Other poignant objects include Private Raithby’s pressed poppy. He served on the Western Front during WWI where artillery devastated the landscape but poppies thrived and became a symbol of remembrance for the fallen. Personal

possessions of an unidentified soldier from the West Yorkshire regiment are on display, including buttons, a water canteen and toothbrush.

There are also medals to see, like Like Second Lieutenant John Harrison’s Victoria Cross, awarded for bravery at the Battle of Arras on 3 May 1917.

Outside the clash of arms there are also other exhibits such as one dedicated to Captain Oates of the 6th Eniskilling Dragoons and a member of Scott’s ill fated expedition to the Antarctic. His waistcoat, a belt and medals obtained in the Boer War are on display, along with a signed menu from all the members of the Antarctic crew which perished.

Back to major conflicts though, and the Battle of Waterloo has a strong part to play in the regimental timeline with art depicting Napoleon’s fate and a piece of silk from the sheet of Napoleon’s camp bed. On the British side, Captain Browne’s coatee is on display. These short fitting coats were worn by cavalry officers, including Captain Browne during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The Captain’s horse was killed under him in the afternoon charge and he was injured in the chest as he carried on fighting on foot. The surgeon had to cut open the jacket to attend to the wound. The blood stain is still there.

At the mock mess table there’s a pair of mess dress box spurs dating from 1902 and such things as mess wellingtons are explained in detail. It successfully gives the feeling of being on an officer’s mess seat. Also at the mess table are little details such as shoulder chains worn by British officers in India, which school groups can make tracings of. There’s a silver decorative piece, which is an exquisite piece of art in itself. It’s from the Officer’s Mess of the 1st Battalion 14th Regiment of Foot 1879 and depicts the Battle of Crecy in 1346. An identical piece is still used by the Yorkshire Regiment today.

There are special events and themes when I was there, just before the second lockdown, with an exhibition dedicated to The Blitz. Outside, if it wasn’t for the lottery funded banners you could easily pass by, mistaking the York Army Museum for an ordinary town house. A pleasant surprise awaits and it even has a small shop. You get a real insight into the weapons and tactics, hardware and mess life in the British Army, and how these have changed over time.