Winchester's Military Museums

Winchester's Military Museums Wi******er's Military Museums is home to six military museums in Wi******er, check out our website! https://www.wi******ersmilitarymuseums.co.uk/

Six fascinating Regimental museums all based on Peninsula Barracks showcasing heroic exploits and daring deeds from The King's Royal Hussars, The Royal Hampshire Regiment, The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles), The Gurkhas, The Adjutant General's Corps and The Rifles Museum. As we are all separate museums please visit the museum's page whom you would like to visit for opening times.

19/06/2026

Good Morning and happy Friday!

The next week is looking to be a hot one, so why not beat the heat by visiting us at The AGC Museum. ☀

We're open Tuesdays-Fridays 10am-4pm, and Saturdays 10am-3pm, and the building is cool. Entry to the Museum is also free.

We look forward to welcoming you soon! ✨

19/06/2026

Our volunteers make up an important part of the Museum team. They help us preserve stories, welcome visitors, and share knowledge that keeps the regimental history alive for future generations.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with us, get in touch today! Please email us at:- [email protected]

17/06/2026

Tickets still available for next week's evening talk, Women and Children First: The Birkenhead Disaster 1852, on Thursday 25th June.

The sinking of the HMS Birkenhead in 1852 whilst transporting troops to Algoa Bay remains one of the greatest maritime disasters in both Britain’s and South Africa’s history. But what it is chiefly remembered for is that every one of the seven women and thirteen children aboard survived the sinking owing to the gallantry and discipline of the men on board. The men’s chivalry gave rise to a new protocol in time of disaster, which is still known today as the ‘Birkenhead Drill’ and follows the principle of “Women and Children First“.

But why did the ship hit the rocks, and of the 643 passengers – soldiers, seamen and families – only 193 survive? Amongst those drowned were 59 men from two detachments of the 43rd Light Infantry and 60th Rifles destined to join their battalions in Algoa Bay. This is their story.

Buy tickets for in person attendance, or to attend the live Zoom broadcast: https://shop.rgjmuseum.co.uk/evening-talk-women--children-first-the-birkenhead-disaster-1852-2818-p.asp

17/06/2026

🐅 Tiger Tuesday 🐅

This week's tiger is on display in the First World War gallery of the museum, spotted on this matchbox sporting the regiment's cap badge. Smoking was already popular at the outbreak of war but boomed during the conflict. Thought to be good for health and morale, rations included a to***co allowance and charitable bodies at home raised funds to send to***co to men at the Front.

Find out more about the Hampshires in the First World War - we are open Tuesday to Saturday and entrance is free.

17/06/2026

Our FREE exhibition Soldiering in Silver ends 30 June. Explore the Gurkhas’ stunning silver, a shining story of courage, loyalty, and 200+ years of Gurkha service with the the British Army.
On display now in our second‑floor gallery.

More info: https://thegurkhamuseum.co.uk/event/soldiering-in-silver/

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17/06/2026

Behind every medal, photograph, and uniform is a person.

We remember the human stories behind military history. Ordinary people placed in extraordinary circumstances.

Today's choice is Captain Alexander Gifford Ludford Astley, 14th Hussars. Astley originally enlisted as a Second Lieutenant with the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers in 1900. He transferred into the 14th Hussars on 28th October 1903.

His initial stint with the 14th spanned ten years, and he spent much of his time in India. From newspaper and journal snippets we discovered that he was quite the competent polo player, being a fixed member of the 14th Hussars polo team whilst in India.

Between 1911 and 1914 he was seconded as an Adjutant with the Glamorgan Yeomanry. Altogether he would serve three years with them, before transferring back to the 14th Hussars just after the outbreak of the First World War. Astley would join the regiment in Mesopotamia in December 1914.

Little is known of his service, although regimental records show that he was Commander of "D" Squadron. Astley unfortunately was killed in action at the Battle of Lajje, on 5th March 1917.

The following is an obituary for Captain Astley, taken from The Atherstone News, Friday 6th April 1917.

'The death is announced, killed in action, in Mesopotamia, of Captain A.G.L. Astley, son of a clergyman and nephew of Lady Norton of Hams Hall. Deceased was in the Hussars, and had been in the Army over 16 years. He belonged to a very old Warwickshire family, who were formerly seated at Astley Castle and Ansley Hall. Deceased married daughter of the late Colonel George Arbuthnot.'

Astley died aged just 35, and was survived by his wife, Mary Christobel Ludford Astley. The pair had married in Spring 1914.

17/06/2026

Today's comes from the personal collection of Mrs Daphne Hill.

This photo shows the ATS on the march, eyes cast towards a stage covered with union jack flags. They are likely looking towards the officials stood upon the stage, just out of view. Unfortunately we do not know the location of this image, but it was taken some time in the early 1940s.

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17/06/2026

HorsePower Museum is unfortunately closed Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday this week. This is due to continued building works from the Gurkha Museum refurbishment. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

We are open Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th. Please do pop in to say hello if you find yourself on site! ✨

15/06/2026

This week, staff and volunteers have been working on improving the storage of our uniform collection. Whilst doing this we had the opportunity to take some updated photographs of this service dress jacket, owned by Brigadier Charles Barnet 'Roscoe' Harvey.

Harvey entered the 10th Hussars in 1920, quickly being appointed Riding Master for the regiment. He was an enthusiastic sportsman, participating in racing, hunting, pig-sticking, and polo.

Upon the mechanisation of his squadron in the late 1920s, it was reported that '[Harvey] shows absolutely no aptitude for mechanisation whatsoever'. In spite of this, he would go on to become a highly skilled tank commander. He would be promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, forming the 23rd Hussars in December 1940. By November 1941 he was in command of the 10th Hussars, joining them in North Africa.

Harvey distinguished himself for his skill at warfare, earning three DSOs between 1942-1945. As far as we are aware, he is the only 10th Hussar to have done so. After the war, in March 1952, he was appointed as Colonel of the 10th Hussars, a position he remained in for ten years.

If you wish to learn more about Brigadier 'Roscoe' Harvey's extensive military career, you can purchase copies of his biography 'Roscoe - The Bright Shiner' from the museum giftshop.

Medal Ribbons (L-R):
Distinguished Service Order (2 Bars), 1939-45 Star, Africa Star (8th Army Clasp), France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal (with Mention-in-Despatches), Commander of the Order of Leopold II w/ Palm, Croix de Guerre (Belgium) w/ Palm

15/06/2026

Here at The AGC Museum we have quite the extensive medal collection. 🎖

Spanning over a century of history, and numerous serving men and women, come and explore the stories of the AGC & antecedants through our medals on display.

We are open Tuesdays-Fridays 10am-5pm, and Saturdays 10am-3pm. All visitors go free! ✨

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Address

Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road
Wi******er
SO238TS

Telephone

01962 877826

Website

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