Collection: The Berkshire Yeomanry Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The Museum was founded in 1974 and today contains a varied and impressive collection of artefacts illustrating the roles, arms and uniforms adopted by the Berkshire Yeomanry since its beginnings in 1794. The Museum is owned and funded by a small charitable trust whose aims are educating the public in the history of the regiment through (i) caring, improving and preserving the Museum’s collection (ii) upholding of the traditions of the Berkshire Yeomanry and (iii) perpetuating the regiment’s deeds including maintaining regimental memorials.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The Museum has a number of permanent displays which cover various periods in the regiment’s history including:

  • The Early Years 1794-1899
  • The Boer War 1899-1902
  • The Edwardian Era 1902-1914
  • The Great War 1914-1918
  • Between the Wars 1919-1939
  • The Second World War 1939-1946
  • The Cold War 1947-1989
  • Modern warfare and operations

  These displays tell the history of the period through examples of uniform and weaponry and through photographic images illustrating deployment, training and operations.

  In addition the Museum has displays covering particular topics such as

  • Regimental uniform, buttons and badges
  • Medals awarded to officers and soldiers since 1897
  • Social life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras

  In recent years the Museum has expanded its archive and now has a considerable amount of detail relating to the officers and soldiers who served in the regiment.  Museum staff regularly handle enquiries from family descendants and from those undertaking research into local or military history.

  In conjunction with the Berkshire Yeomanry Regimental Association, the Museum publishes an annual journal covering current events and articles on particular aspects of the regiment’s history. Some of the articles are included on the Museum’s website.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC