Two Centuries of Military Heritage

The Collection began modestly in Aldershot shortly after the First World War, although some medals had been displayed in other UK locations before 1914.  In 1963, it was decided to centralise these resources in the Headquarters RASC Officers’ Mess at Buller Barracks, Aldershot, and to develop the Collection systematically to reflect the achievements and history of the RASC and its predecessors.

In 1965, Army reforms saw the RASC become the RCT.  When Buller Barracks was rebuilt in the late 1960s, a dedicated Medal Room was created, with displays organised thematically according to numismatic and historical principles.  Medals naturally fall into series based on their purpose.  Although classification is somewhat arbitrary, military collections typically follow the order of precedence in wear:

  • Orders and decorations
  • Campaign medals
  • Commemorative medals
  • Service medals
  • Commonwealth and foreign awards

In 1993 the RCT was merged with four other Corps to form the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC).  The Medal Room moved again in 1994, to Deepcut, the new Headquarters Mess for the RLC.  With the closure of Deepcut the Collection was on the move again, and the Princess Royal opened the new Medal Room in Worthy Down in 2021.

The Collection display includes breast-mounted groups and single campaign medals, arranged thematically to show a visual spectrum of history from 1794 onwards.  These honours and awards represent members of the RCT, its accepted predecessors in British service, and those who served in the Supply and Transport organisations of India and certain colonial forces before their countries gained independence.

The layout of the room is divided into four sections:

  • Orders and Decorations 
  • Breast-mounted groups
  • Single campaign medals
  • Medal drawers

The Collection is considered the finest of its kind in Britain and is of national importance. Whilst the collection is displayed at the RLC Museum, it is indepently owned and curated.

Visitors can view the Collection during museum opening hours.