“This is such an important, and previously untold story,” says Miss Sam Jolley, Collections Manager for the Museum and Curator of the exhibition. “Prior to 1990, pregnant servicewomen wishing to have their child had to leave the forces, and many women made difficult choices between parenthood and their profession.”

Between 1978 and 1990, some 5,700 women left the three services because they were pregnant.

Following the introduction of maternity leave for servicewomen, the army has developed its maternity, shared parental and adoption leave polices, and redesigned its maternity wear several times.

“The British Army introduced maternity policy before fully considering maternity wear to suit the changing shape of pregnant soldiers.” says Sam. “Rations for Two illustrates the story of maternity in the military through the development of maternity uniform, with examples on display from the 1990s to the present day.”

From the famous fawn maternity smock to the new MTP maternity uniform, this exhibition uses the development of British Army maternity uniform to tell the stories of mothers who serve.

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday only.