Collections, Education & Research

As well as putting on exhibitions, events and activities, The Rifles Museum also undertakes a lot of work in a series of different areas. All of these are for the benefit of the public and the Regiment, from developing and caring for the collection and archive, providing learning opportunities or allowing researchers access to our archives. All the work we do behind the scenes enables us to meet our mission of educating the public in the history of The Rifles Regiment and protecting the related collection and archive for future generations. There are different ways that you can contact us for any of the services offered by the Museum. More details on each area are laid out on this page.

Museum Collections and Archive

The Rifles Museum collections include a wide variety of material from the ongoing history of The Rifles. With a mixture of clothing and equipment, objects collected from the various regions they have operated in, and artworks, the objects in the collection are the core for the many individual and group stories that reflect the pioneering spirit of The Rifles. And as a current Regiment these stories are going to continue to be created in all areas, from anti-poaching missions in Africa, training foreign forces in the middle east and humanitarian work around the world.

The Museum also holds the Regimental Archive for The Rifles. This is a developing resource to record the written and visual history of the Regiment, to allow current and future researchers to access. And as The Rifles were formed in 2007, unlike many Museum archives, we store mostly digital material, meaning as the Archive is developed and improved in the future, this accessibility will be of the highest quality.

Building Our Collections

Can you help? We are always looking for stories and objects that link to The Rifles since the formation of the Regiment in 2007. If you or a member of your family is serving or has served in The Rifles, we need your support. We would like to collect any items of kit, or any objects related to the history of the Regiment, communications you have written or received, blogs or video diaries you have made – anything that tells the story of your experience with The Rifles. This could be anything, such as:

  • Emails/letters/postcards/cards/blueys/e-blueys/photo-blueys to and from family and friends
  • Poems/art/films/short stories inspired by your experiences
  • Diaries/journals/video-diaries/blogs/v-blogs
  • Photographs
  • Travel documents
  • Uniform/kit items/insignia
  • Aide memoires
  • Books and magazines you read
  • iPhone/iPod playlists
  • Gifts or goods you returned with
  • Names of places within FOBs and temporary signage
  • Accounts/experiences from families of those serving

The Rifles Museum is very grateful to those who give items or accounts to add to our collection. We are obliged to make sure that every acquisition is in line with our Collection Policy, and that we have the resources to conserve and store each item properly. As a result, it is not always possible for us to accept every object. However, if we are unable to accept your gift, we could investigate the possibility of a loan to the Museum where the ownership of the object stays with you. This would only be considered if the object was being considered for display in our permanent galleries, or for a time limited temporary exhibition.
As we are part of a larger network of RIFLES affiliated Museums we could also consider if any item could be given to The Rifles Museum and loaned to another location for display, or possibly offered to another Museum directly, if the objects relate to an antecedent Regiment.

Please do contact us if you have something you would like to give. Download a copy of our Collections Development Policy for more information.

Email: museum@the-rifles.co.uk

Download Our Collections Development Policy
Image of colourful figurines made by children

Services for Schools and Groups

The Rifles Collection offers services for schools, groups and individuals wishing to learn more about the history of the Regiment.

Guided Tours are available upon request and can be themed around a set topic.

The museum works with Winchester’s Military Museums on an active Schools Workshops programme, featuring topics such as STEAM, History and Citizenship.

Historical Research

The Rifles was formed in 2007 and therefore we do not hold Records of Service. We are also unable to carry out extensive research.

For queries relating to The Rifles Brigade and The King’s Royal Rifle Corps, please contact The Royal Green Jackets Museum.

Please check whether your query relates to one of our forming or former Regiments and contact the relevant museum from this list of museums as most of our network of museums offer a research service.

Otherwise for Records of Services, please contact the following locations, depending on when the individual joined the Army:

Pre-1920 – National Archives, Kew, Surrey, TW9 4DU

Post-1920 – Army Personnel Centre, Historic Disclosures, Mailpoint 400, Kentigern House, 65 Borwn Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX

Image of an assortment of historical military documents

For historical research requests internally from serving members of the Regiment only, please contact Christopher Gale on: museum@the-rifles.co.uk

Queries for the Regimental Historian, Dr Huw Davies, can also be sent to this email address and will be forwarded as necessary.