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The museum is located within the Somerset County Museum at Taunton Castle (www.somerset.gov.uk/museums) and is open from
Tuesday to Saturday, however please note that it will be closed from 31st December 2007 to early 2010 for extensive restoration and redesign work. Amongst its attractions the Museum features:
- Many uniforms from the 18th century to modern times.
There are several prized items of Regimental
interest including the last Colours carried by the Somerset
Light Infantry and a United States naval flag which was captured
by the 13th of Foot in Canada in 1813.
- The siege of Jellalabad (1841-42).
Uniforms of the
period and the special medals struck to commemorate the campaign are on
display. So, too, is the magnificent painting by Lady Elizabeth Butler
of 'The Remnants of an Army' which is on loan from the Tate Gallery in London.
- The connection between the Somerset Light Infantry and the Royal Family.
Items include a sketch of HRH Price Albert by Queen Victoria and the Service Dress jacket
worn by HM King George VI when he was the Regimental Colonel-in-Chief.
- The Somerset Militia & Rifle Volunteers
An impressive display of uniforms and militaria of the forerunners of the modern Territorial Army in Somerset.
- An extensive Regimental Medals Gallery.
Almost 2000 campaign medals and decorations are on display in the Medals Gallery,
the earliest dating from 1799. Most have generously been donated by the relatives
of former soldiers of the County Regiments. The Gallery also features those members of
the Somerset Light Infantry who have been awarded the Victoria Cross or George Cross.
- The modern County Regiment
An explanation of how the former Yeomanry Regiments of Somerset combined with the Somerset Light Infantry territorials to form an important element of the former County Regiment, The Light Infantry, which on 1st February 2007 amalgamated with three other Regiments to form Today's County Regiment, The Rifles. See also Regular Army and Territorial Army charts covering the period from 1951 until 31st January 2007.
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