Surrey Infantry Museum

05/06/2024

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, come see our exhibition at Guildford Museum.

Soldiers of Surrey: D-Day +80 reveals the logistics behind the landings, telling the more unknown story of the role the men of The Queen's played in defending the Mulberry Harbours.

is open Wednesdays to Sundays, 12 - 4:30pm.
Soldiers of Surrey: D-Day +80 runs until the end of August

15/09/2023

Mend Our Maces
Will you give our collections a second life?

We need your help to raise £6,000 to fund the restoration of our historic collection of Drum Major’s Staffs. The collection spans over 100 years of regimental history, and even includes one of only three maces ever to be given the cypher of Edward VII.
Unlike other conservation projects, once restored these maces will not be returning to our museum storage. They will be placed on display at the home of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment to inspire future generations of Army musicians.
Every donation, no matter how big or small, is hugely appreciated – even the restoration of one mace would help us showcase the history of Surrey’s regiments and the people who served our county.
Support us at mend-our-maces.raisely.com

16/04/2023

Soldiers of Surrey Exhibition: Spotlight on the keris

The keris, or kelis, dagger originates from Java in Southeast Asia. Noted for their asymetry, these daggers are spiritual and ceremonial objects. Each part of a kris is as important as the other, each with their own name and significance.
Each blade could have up to 29 waves, or luks, and the higher the number of luks, the higher the status of the owner and the greater the spiritual power of the blade.
You can see on our kris that the guard is not straight. Often, this “gangya” was curved like an elephant’s trunk to protect the bearer’s hands. They were protected by an elaborately designed sheath, or pendok.
The kris has descended through folklore, with many different interpretations for its use and meaning. For some, it represents strength, others violence, and for others - when worn on the back - it represents peace.

19/03/2023

Soldiers of Surrey Exhibition: Spotlight on the Malayan Emergency

The Malayan Emergency (1948-60) is used today as an example of a successful counterinsurgency campaign.

In June 1948, a state of emergency was called in the British State of Malaya (present day Malaysia and Singapore) after a raft of attacks on rubber plantations, mines and police stations. A lot of these plantations and mines were owned by the British, who would not have been compensated if the conflict was labelled a “war”.

What followed was a 12-year campaign in the jungle between British forces and the fighters of the Malayan National Liberation Army. For the Malay people and fighters, the conflict was a fight for independence and identity. Following a long stalemate, increased jungle warfare training by the British, and the establishment of the independent Federation of Malaysia in 1957, the MNLA lost their rationale for the fighting.

The emergency was declared over in 1960. By that time, over 500 soldiers and 1,300 police lost their lives in the fighting. It is estimated over 6,000 MCP fighters were killed and 1,200 captured by British forces.

14/03/2023

PWRR and Queen’s Regiment Museum CIO is now registered with , so over 7,000 brands will now donate to us for FREE every time you use to shop with them.
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pwrr-and-queens-regiment-museum-cio/&utm_source=social&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=rm-gs-f1

20/02/2023

A new Exhibition has opened at Guildford Museum!

Soldiers of Surrey - Sgt Bob Hatcher uses personal testimony to tell the story of the Queen’s Royal Regiment in Malaya from 1954-57. PWRR Queens Museum have kindly lent some objects for the exhibition, including a cap worn by Malayan fighters, to complement objects from the Surrey Infantry Collection.

Guildford Museum is open Wednesday - Saturday, please do go and visit!

27/04/2022

Please see below for details of an upcoming talk at The Guildhall, Guildford. It would be lovely to see some of you there!

Thursday 5th May: “Guildford Town Criers” Talk with Catherine Fabian and David Peters

As part of Guildford Museum’s “Coffee time talks” series, Catherine Fabian (Collections Officer for the Surrey Infantry Collection) will give a joint talk with David Peters, the current Town Crier and Beadle of Guildford. Catherine will introduce Jesse Peters, soldier of The Queen’s Royal Regiment and former Guildford Town Crier, who is the focus of a new display by the Surrey Infantry Collection at Guildford Museum. Catherine will explore his service during the First World War, alongside the history of The Queen’s Royal Regiment. David Peters, grandson of Jesse, will then share his experiences of Town Crying in Guildford and talk about his family’s historic connection to the role.

“Coffee time talks” are a chance to meet with other people for coffee and a chat first, followed by the talk which lasts about 50 minutes. All talks are free but voluntary donations are welcome.

Please pre-book your place by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 01483 444751.

Location: The Guildhall, Guildford
Times: Doors open at 10.30am. Talks start at 11am and last for about 50 minutes.

27/04/2022

A new display from the collection of the Surrey Infantry Museum, now open at Guildford Museum. Please do go and visit! Guildford's Heritage

27/04/2022

27/04/2022

29/07/2020

https://issuu.com/surreyinfantrymuseum/docs/russia_1919_-_article

First in a series of articles about the history of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment and its forebears. 'East Surreys in Russia - 1919' is taken from the Friends of Surrey Infantry Museum (FOSIM) lecture delivered at the Surrey History Centre (Woking) in November 2019.

23/07/2019

Surrey in the Great War - Finale Event

04/07/2019

East Surrey Regiment Drum

04/07/2019

Farnham Reserve Centre - OMA 2019 Dinner

27/06/2019

Join us at Brookwood Military Cemetery this weekend

22/02/2019

Julian Martin - Update