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Military History Hub

Explore articles, guides, and features spanning centuries of military history. From cap badges to campaign medals, uniforms to unit histories — the stories behind the items we collect and preserve.

36Articles
9Historical Eras
1,578Related Items
426+Years Covered
Explore the Interactive Timeline
Discover 36 articles across 426+ years of military history — zoom, filter by era, and browse related items on a fully interactive visual timeline.
30June

Today in Military History

  • 1916Final preparations for the Somme: Haig reports the men are in splendid spirits

Featured Articles

guide Victorian Era (1837–1901) World War I (1914–1918) World War II (1939–1945)
The British Army Cap Badge: A Collectors Guide to Identification
Key Reform Childers Reforms, 1881 Contents Introduction What Is a Cap Badge? History and Development Materials and Manufacture Design Elements […]
The Victoria Cross: Britain’s Highest Military Honour
11 Mar 2026 · 10 min read
The Guards Division: Britain’s Elite Household Troops
8 Mar 2026 · 9 min read
D-Day: 6 June 1944 — The Normandy Landings
4 Mar 2026 · 16 min read

Browse by Era

Pre-1800
1600 – 1799

Military history before 1800, including the English Civil War, Jacobite risings, and colonial conflicts.

3 articles84 items
Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815)
1799 – 1815

The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, including Trafalgar, Waterloo, and the Peninsular War.

6 articles15 items
Victorian Era (1837–1901)
1837 – 1901

The age of Empire: Crimean War, Indian Mutiny, Zulu War, and colonial campaigns across Africa and Asia.

17 articles61 items
Boer Wars (1880–1902)
1880 – 1902

The First and Second Boer Wars in South Africa, a defining conflict of the late Victorian era.

2 articles36 items
World War I (1914–1918)
1914 – 1918

The Great War: trench warfare, Gallipoli, the Somme, Passchendaele, and the birth of modern warfare.

15 articles297 items
Inter-War Period (1918–1939)
1918 – 1939

The years between the World Wars: mechanisation, colonial policing, and the build-up to WW2.

2 articles56 items
World War II (1939–1945)
1939 – 1945

The Second World War: Dunkirk, the Blitz, El Alamein, D-Day, Burma, and the war at sea.

16 articles855 items
Cold War (1945–1990)
1945 – 1990

Korea, Malaya, Suez, Aden, the Falklands, Northern Ireland, and the end of the Cold War.

7 articles145 items
Modern Era (1990–Present)
1990 – 2026

The Gulf Wars, the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and contemporary British military operations.

6 articles29 items

Browse by Branch & Service

Infantry
1,192 items
Cavalry & Armour
583 items
Corps & Departments
508 items
British Army
315 items
Territorial & Volunteer
297 items
South African Forces
263 items
Colonial & Overseas Territory Forces
242 items
Canadian Forces
165 items
Indian Forces
138 items
Guards
114 items
Scottish Regiments
106 items
Royal Navy
102 items
Royal Artillery
99 items
Royal Marines
89 items
American Forces
74 items
Royal Air Force
63 items
Gurkhas
49 items
Civilian & Home Front
38 items

Latest Articles

All ErasPre-1800Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815)Victorian Era (1837–1901)Boer Wars (1880–1902)World War I (1914–1918)Inter-War Period (1918–1939)World War II (1939–1945)Cold War (1945–1990)Modern Era (1990–Present)
D-Day: 6 June 1944 — The Normandy LandingsFeatured
On This DayWorld War II (1939–1945)
D-Day: 6 June 1944 — The Normandy Landings
The largest amphibious invasion in history — how Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and opened the Second Front.
4 Mar 202616 min read
Caring for Your Militaria Collection: A Preservation Guide
Collector's Guide
Caring for Your Militaria Collection: A Preservation Guide
Expert advice on storing, cleaning, and preserving military antiques — from medals and badges to uniforms and paper items.
3 Mar 202611 min read
The Royal Artillery: Ubique — A Regimental History
Regiment ProfileNapoleonic Wars (1799–1815)Victorian Era (1837–1901)World War I (1914–1918)World War II (1939–1945)Cold War (1945–1990)Modern Era (1990–Present)
The Royal Artillery: Ubique — A Regimental History
The story of the Royal Regiment of Artillery — "Everywhere" — from its founding in 1716 to modern operations.
2 Mar 202610 min read
Napoleonic Shako Plates and Helmet Badges: A Collector’s Overview
Encyclopedia EntryPre-1800Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815)
Napoleonic Shako Plates and Helmet Badges: A Collector’s Overview
An introduction to the distinctive helmet plates and shako badges of the Napoleonic era — identification, rarity, and collecting tips.
1 Mar 202611 min read
The Gurkhas: 200 Years of Service to the British CrownFeatured
Feature ArticleVictorian Era (1837–1901)World War I (1914–1918)World War II (1939–1945)Cold War (1945–1990)Modern Era (1990–Present)
The Gurkhas: 200 Years of Service to the British Crown
From the Anglo-Nepalese War to Helmand Province — the remarkable history of the Gurkha soldiers who have served Britain since 1815.
28 Feb 20269 min read
How to Authenticate British Military Buttons
Collector's GuidePre-1800Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815)Victorian Era (1837–1901)World War I (1914–1918)World War II (1939–1945)
How to Authenticate British Military Buttons
A practical guide to identifying genuine British military buttons — from Georgian pewter to Victorian gilt — and spotting modern reproductions.
27 Feb 202610 min read
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