Cheshire Military Museum tells the story of Cheshire’s soldiers from the 17th century to the present day. The museum is housed in a Regency building designed by Thomas Harrison, and built on top of a ruined Norman castle which fell into disrepair after the English Civil War. The building was used as a barracks to maintain law and order in Chester, and is now the Regimental Headquarters for the Mercian Regiment.
For hundreds of years, Cheshire soldiers have fought in conflicts which have significantly shaped world history. The museum contains a huge diversity of material to tell their stories, including:
- A very rare pre-1830 cavalry cape, one of only three known in the UK. Worn by Surgeon Carline of the Carabiniers.
- The Victoria Cross won by Thomas Alfred Jones who took 102 German prisoners. Also on display is the helmet he wore on that day, complete with bullet hole.
- The pen used to sign the Japanese surrender at the end of the Second World War.
