The Collections - Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum

THE WORCESTERSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY COLLECTION

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THE WORCESTERSHIRE SOLDIER

The collections of the Worcestershire Yeomanry Regiment are currently being re-housed in new display galleries at the City Museum, called "The Worcestershire Soldier", with the help of a grant of £323,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Drawing on these collections, and objects from the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry and the City Museum Service, the new displays will tell the story of the people of Worcestershire and their role in the defence of Britain for over 300 years.

An officer's 'Bell-top' Shako, worn 1837-50

For the first time the Regiment's collections are being presented using archive, photographic and oral history records to illustrate the lives of individual soldiers and their families.

Curators and researchers from Worcester have been working with designers from the National Army Museum to complete the new galleries, which will be opened to the public on July 28th 2003 prior to the official opening ceremony which will take place in the Autumn.

The Museum of the Worcestershire Yeomanry is housed within the City Art Gallery and Museum. The collections are the property of the Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum Trust, which maintains close links with the successor regiment, the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry, but are managed by Worcester City Museums. Objects in the collections tell the story of the regiment over the last 300 years. Of particular note are:
Uniforms - From its foundation in 1794 the Yeomanry had distinctive items of uniform. Examples of 19th century headgear include a Tarleton helmet, busbies, shakoes, which make colourful displays together with coatees, tunics and their epaulettes and braiding. Uniforms from the Boer War and the First World War can be seen alongside a Tank Overall worn in France in the Second World War.
Arms - 19th century swords and pistols include the fine pair of duelling pistols given to the Adjutant, Captain Emmot by the Earl of Plymouth in 1832. There are also more recent firearms, as well as spurs, saddlecloths and sabretaches reflecting the cavalry aspect of this regiment.
Guidons - These eleven beautifully embroidered pieces, including the King’s Guidon presented in 1831, have recently been conserved.
Emblems and Medals - These include examples of the sprig of pear blossom in silk which was presented to the troops on their departure to the Boer War by the Countess of Dudley, and of the silver medallions known as Worcestershire Jewels presented on their return.
Paintings - Watercolours by Richard Dighton showing caricatures of the Officers between 1832 and 1834 contrast with those painted by Lord Hampton whilst serving in Palestine in the First World War.
Photographs - A wide range of official and personal photographs from the Boer War to recent times include poignant images of the charge at Huj in 1917 in Palestine.
Personalia - A wide range of material including letters, diaries and souvenirs. The ploughshares created from a Turkish and an English sword used at Huj by an Officer who became a clergyman are evocative. Maps and cooking equipment illustrate life in the Second World War.