National Army Museum

The displays at the National Army Museum concentrate more on telling the story of the individual soldier's life than on chronicling campaigns and battles. Among the exhibits is the pencil-written scrap of paper that launched the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854, sending more than 600 men charging in the wrong direction to attack the Russian Army. The National Army Museum's art gallery traces the history of the British Army from the 16th century to the Kosovo peace-keeping operation in 2000. The Redcoats gallery contains displays on the Army's formative years under leaders such as Oliver Cromwell and the 'Butcher of Culloden.' Uniformed presenters in role as soldiers from the past bring the museum's galleries to life at weekends. 'National Service' is a new, permanent display exploring the contribution of Britain's post-war service conscripts in eight conflicts over 20 years, as they moved from civilian to soldier.