Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum
Encyclopedia
The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum is now located at Imperial War Museum Duxford
. Prior to 2008 it was based at Browning Barracks in the Aldershot Military Town area near Aldershot in Hampshire
. As well as the history of Airborne Forces in general, in particular the Museum told the story of the The Parachute Regiment, which was based in the town from its creation in 1940 until 2003.
home to Colchester
, and with the site scehdeuled for redevelopment, a decision was made to move from 'behind the wire' to a public venue. In 2008, the Museum moved to a new permanent home in partnership with Imperial War Museum Duxford
under the Airborne Assault name. The first phase of the new attraction was opened in a formal ceremony by HRH The Prince of Wales
, Colonel-in-Chief of The Parachute Regiment on 8 December 2008.
New multimedia displays tell the story of today's airborne soldier and his heritage from 1940 when British Airborne Forces were first formed at the insistence of Prime Minister Winston Churchill
. The displays include the original briefing models for airborne operations of World War II
, including Bruneval, D-Day
and the Rhine Crossing
. The phases of the battle of Arnhem
and Operation Market Garden
are fully explained in a dedicated exhibit. Broad coverage is given to the post-war campaigns from Borneo and Suez
to the Falklands War
, Northern Ireland, and Afghanistan
. Exhibits of light weapons and heavy drop equipment from jeeps to field guns are suspended as if dropping into action. An original nosecone of the Horsa
glider which carried airlanding troops into action at Normandy
and the Rhine is featured, as well as Bing the Paradog, who dropped in 1945. There are displays of Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces historical artefacts, including regimental colours,uniforms and medals which include several awards of the Victoria Cross
and George Cross
.
The museum also holds terminals to access the online archive ParaData. This is a contributory archive which aims to be the comprehensive database of all,who have served in Airborne Forces, for the benefit of serving and retired soldiers, their families and descendants. ParaData also opened in December 2008 and can be found through the link below.
awarded to Lt. John Hollington Grayburn
of the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, Captain Lionel Ernest Queripel
, attached to the 10th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and that awarded in 2007 to Corporal Bryan Budd
, of the 3rd Battalion. In addition to those notable featured displays, the museum's entire collection is on display in specially designed secure drawers.
Central to this is ParaData - a comprehensive database record of all who have served, and are currently serving, linked to accounts and details of relevant campaigns and engagements. Photographs, documents, letters and film and audio interviews are appended to each entry where available, and contributions of further material are invited. The database aims to be a definitive history and a continually updated document for an estimated 500,000 descendants by 2016. Whilst paying respect to those who have served and their families, this will engage a younger audience, especially with reference to the National Curriculum, through the use of cutting-edge technology. Families will be able to research their history at touch screens and online.
Plans and fundraising are underway for a third phase. This new building will feature the history of military parachuting with its display and sports offshoots and an activity zone. This will allow the general public to experience basic parachute training using authentic equipment.
Imperial War Museum Duxford
Imperial War Museum Duxford is a branch of the Imperial War Museum near the village of Duxford in Cambridgeshire, England. Britain's largest aviation museum, Duxford houses the museum's large exhibits, including nearly 200 aircraft, military vehicles, artillery and minor naval vessels in seven...
. Prior to 2008 it was based at Browning Barracks in the Aldershot Military Town area near Aldershot in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. As well as the history of Airborne Forces in general, in particular the Museum told the story of the The Parachute Regiment, which was based in the town from its creation in 1940 until 2003.
Origins of the Museum
The Museum was established by a meeting of the Committee of the Parachute Regiment Association in October 1946, being housed in various barracks until it was officially opened in Browning Barracks on 23 March 1969 by Field Marshal Montgomery. The Museum traced the history of British Airborne Forces from 1940 to the present day. With The Parachute Regiment having moved from its AldershotAldershot
Aldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland about southwest of London. The town is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council...
home to Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
, and with the site scehdeuled for redevelopment, a decision was made to move from 'behind the wire' to a public venue. In 2008, the Museum moved to a new permanent home in partnership with Imperial War Museum Duxford
Imperial War Museum Duxford
Imperial War Museum Duxford is a branch of the Imperial War Museum near the village of Duxford in Cambridgeshire, England. Britain's largest aviation museum, Duxford houses the museum's large exhibits, including nearly 200 aircraft, military vehicles, artillery and minor naval vessels in seven...
under the Airborne Assault name. The first phase of the new attraction was opened in a formal ceremony by HRH The Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
, Colonel-in-Chief of The Parachute Regiment on 8 December 2008.
The Exhibits
Airborne Assault tells the story of men who go to war from the air.New multimedia displays tell the story of today's airborne soldier and his heritage from 1940 when British Airborne Forces were first formed at the insistence of Prime Minister Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. The displays include the original briefing models for airborne operations of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, including Bruneval, D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
and the Rhine Crossing
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
. The phases of the battle of Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
and Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
are fully explained in a dedicated exhibit. Broad coverage is given to the post-war campaigns from Borneo and Suez
Suez
Suez is a seaport city in north-eastern Egypt, located on the north coast of the Gulf of Suez , near the southern terminus of the Suez Canal, having the same boundaries as Suez governorate. It has three harbors, Adabya, Ain Sokhna and Port Tawfiq, and extensive port facilities...
to the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, Northern Ireland, and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. Exhibits of light weapons and heavy drop equipment from jeeps to field guns are suspended as if dropping into action. An original nosecone of the Horsa
Airspeed Horsa
The Airspeed AS.51 Horsa was a British World War II troop-carrying glider built by Airspeed Limited and subcontractors and used for air assault by British and Allied armed forces...
glider which carried airlanding troops into action at Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
and the Rhine is featured, as well as Bing the Paradog, who dropped in 1945. There are displays of Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces historical artefacts, including regimental colours,uniforms and medals which include several awards of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
and George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
.
The museum also holds terminals to access the online archive ParaData. This is a contributory archive which aims to be the comprehensive database of all,who have served in Airborne Forces, for the benefit of serving and retired soldiers, their families and descendants. ParaData also opened in December 2008 and can be found through the link below.
Medal Gallery
The Medal Gallery exhibits many of the medals awarded to British airborne troops, including the posthumous VCsVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
awarded to Lt. John Hollington Grayburn
John Hollington Grayburn
John "Jack" Hollington Grayburn VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
of the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, Captain Lionel Ernest Queripel
Lionel Ernest Queripel
Lionel Ernest Queripel VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, attached to the 10th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and that awarded in 2007 to Corporal Bryan Budd
Bryan Budd
Bryan James Budd VC was a Northern Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, of the 3rd Battalion. In addition to those notable featured displays, the museum's entire collection is on display in specially designed secure drawers.
Making History
The vision for Airborne Assault is a unique attraction bringing alive the history and modern reality of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces, from the Second World War to the Falklands, Kosovo, the Gulf and Afghanistan. Much of the 69-year history is captured on film and veterans from the D-Day landings and Arnhem are still alive and actively involved. The museum collection is now open to the public. Although Airborne Assault chronicles a proud history it is also about the present, and those who are currently out in the field “making history”.Central to this is ParaData - a comprehensive database record of all who have served, and are currently serving, linked to accounts and details of relevant campaigns and engagements. Photographs, documents, letters and film and audio interviews are appended to each entry where available, and contributions of further material are invited. The database aims to be a definitive history and a continually updated document for an estimated 500,000 descendants by 2016. Whilst paying respect to those who have served and their families, this will engage a younger audience, especially with reference to the National Curriculum, through the use of cutting-edge technology. Families will be able to research their history at touch screens and online.
Plans and fundraising are underway for a third phase. This new building will feature the history of military parachuting with its display and sports offshoots and an activity zone. This will allow the general public to experience basic parachute training using authentic equipment.