The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum

Discover the fascinating history about the Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiments.

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

We are excited to announce our 2024 events programme!

Following on from last year's programme, we are back with bigger and better events than before- including our first Folk Festival!🎵
More info will follow in the coming weeks- so keep an eye on our website and social media 👀

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

@Taff_Gillingham @Tofrek @GuildofBG @WiltSoldiers Maybe one for the York & Lancs collection, @CliftonParkMus?

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

@Taff_Gillingham @Tofrek @GuildofBG @WiltSoldiers Thank you for the help!

This came to us from an Australian collection, who wondered if it may be from the Wiltshire Volunteers. We thought it may have been an unauthorised shooting insignia for a Warminster Rifles ('WR'), hence why we weren't familiar with it. But clearly not!

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

@Tofrek @GuildofBG @Taff_Gillingham @WiltSoldiers Thanks for sharing Jon!

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

@SueWillsMBE We’re so glad you enjoyed yourself. Thank you for coming!

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

@Rob_Salisbury @VisitWiltshire Thank you for coming- we're so glad you enjoyed yourself!

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

L/Cpl Welch then exposed himself to heavy machine gun fire whilst looking for spare parts and ammunition to keep his guns in action. He did this for over five hours before being wounded by a shell.
He was later promoted to Sergeant, though he was discharged as unfit in 1919.

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Good morning!

Our doors are open once again from 10am-5pm, (last entry 4:15pm)!

Why not come down and check out our medal room whilst you're here? 🎖️

Our collection of Victoria Cross medals includes this one, won on this day in 1917 by Lance Corporal James Welch.

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Welch enlisted into the Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1908.

During the Battle of Arras in 1917, he was awarded the VC after entering a German trench and killing one man in hand-to-hand combat. He then chased four German soldiers from the trench armed with an empty revolver...

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

@Tofrek Congratulations on the appointment!

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Get your tickets now for our Folk Festival on Saturday 1st June 2024!

We'll be joined by a host of fantastic local folk music and dance acts, including @flyyetifly @AntoineOwena @UkuleleVagabond @RedStagsMorris and more!

https://t.co/yNvSLPgCPC
#FolkMusic #Festival #Salisbury

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Kings, lords and peasants alike- join us on the 18th & 19th May for 'Medieval Matters', our first living history event of 2024!⚔️

Ever wondered how people lived in medieval England? How did they fight? What did they wear?

Come and visit us to find out!
https://t.co/xOuQqeZBHl

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Rail strikes ruined your Easter holiday plans? 🚂

If you're local to Salisbury, why not visit us here at The Wardrobe? We've got everything you need to keep the family entertained.

Join us from 10am-5pm Mon-Sat! Kids (5-16) come in for £3, with under 5s coming in for FREE!

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Introducing our first Folk Festival acts! 📢

We're absolutely delighted to be joined by Monkey See Monkey Do, who will be opening the day with their signature English folk music mixing fiddles, clarinets with beautiful vocal harmonies.

Get tickets now!
https://t.co/yNvSLPg504

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Good morning!

It's the start of a brand new week and our doors are open from 10am-5pm, (last entry 4:15pm)!

The colours shown in this picture were presented to one of our antecedents, the 99th Regiment of Foot, when they were amalgamated on this day exactly 200 years ago.

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Did you know it's #EnglishTourismWeek?

We've been welcoming visitors to The Wardrobe since 1982, when we were officially opened by HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Why not help us to celebrate by paying us a visit?
We're open from 10am-5pm, (last entry 4:15pm)!

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Good morning!

We're open from 10am-5pm (last entry 4:15pm) until Saturday, so come and join us at The Wardrobe!

How did you celebrate St.Patrick's Day? ☘️

These photos show the 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment trooping the Colour at Dublin Castle on St Patrick's Day, 17th March 1911.

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Ditch that Monday morning feeling by paying us a visit- We're open from 10am-5pm!

With a big boxing weekend just gone, we thought we'd share this from our collection- the Wiltshire Regiment's welterweight belt, awarded from 1924-1955. 🥊

The belt is on display in the museum!

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Calling all folk music fans!

Join us on Saturday 1st June in our beautiful walled garden for a day of live folk music performed by acts from across the local area.

For more info and to grab tickets, visit our website:
https://t.co/yNvSLPg504

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Did you know? 🤔

March 2024 marks 200 years since the formation of the 99th Regiment- one of our antecedents!

The 99th, later the 99th Lanarkshires, would serve around the world in Mauritius, Australia, China and the Zulu Wars, before forming the 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment.

[The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum @RiflesMuseum]

Alistair had a great time chatting with Kev on @OdstockRadio!

For more info on our Folk Festival, check out the details in the post below:

[Radio Odstock www.radioodstock.org.uk @OdstockRadio]

At 11.30am, Kev will be talking to Alister, Museum Assistant at The Rifles, Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum, about their Folk Festival on Saturday 1st June.
Listen at https://t.co/fY7XWNXPij
Tickets from https://t.co/1fVCzgQN3S
#salisbury #riflesmuseum #folkfestiva