On Thursday 27^th April 2000 Brian Owen, Social History Officer at Guernsey Museum crossed by overnight ferry from the Channel Island of Guernsey to Portsmouth. He was driving a large empty white van

On arrival at Portsmouth very early the next morning he ate a quick breakfast and then drove some 40 miles to New Milton in the New Forest where he was to collect a rather unusual cargo. Awaiting him, dressed in various regimental uniforms, were the 16 life-size dummies which form the Thin Red Line collection of Victorian Military uniforms. They were destined for display at Castle Cornet, the ancient castle that guards the entrance to St Peter Port harbour in Guernsey. During the Victorian era and before, many, if not most, British regiments had been posted to garrison duties at Castle Cornet, but these were the first Victorians to take up that posting since the passing of the great queen!

Some of the assembled troops ready for embarkation and awaiting transport

The hitherto empty white van was loaded with the troops without too much ceremony, some having helmets or other equipment removed for ease of access, and was driven to the nearby ferry terminal at Poole. Brian Owen now had the human (some say)company of Keith Perks for the return journey to Guernsey. After a very painless and very high speed crossing taking only just ove r two hours in the amazing Condor catamaran ferry, we berthed at St Peter Port and drove the short distance to Castle Cornet. For yours truly, this day had been the culmination of a week or so of very frantic activity preparing all the dummies after their off-season storage, and it came as rather a nasty surprise when Brian announced that we would have to unload our cargo that evening, and that their new home was situated high up inside the castle with no easy access. A compromise was reached and the troops were stored overnight inside the castle, but at ground level!

The high speed Condor ferry approaching the entrance to St Peter Port harbour

The next morning, an early start was made and one by one all the dummies and their accoutrements were carried up the steep paths and stone steps leading to the terrace containing the old 18th century Hospital building. which was to contain the exhibition From this level the views over the harbour and town were breath-taking but not as breath-taking as the climb up to that level whilst carrying a full-size dummy! After working all day Saturday and Sunday morning, we eventually stood back and felt quite proud of the overall result of our labours. The museum's technical support department had produced some superb signage to accompany the exhibition and the whole effect was very pleasing.

Always on the lookout for an opportunity to wear my 1895 Royal Welsh Fusilier major's uniform, I had been invited to take part in the noon gun firing ceremony. This takes place precisely at noon each day, and is performed by Castle attendants wearing replica uniforms of the Guernsey Militia which were coincidentally supplied by Thin Red Line! After some quick discussion, a scenario was agreed, and I became Inspecting Officer of the Firing Party for the day. This was great fun and seemed to go down very well with our audience of Castle visitors, so much so that we repeated the performance the next day (Mayday)

Gun crew inspection

Shown below you will find some more pictures illustrating this brief account and if you should find yourself in Guernsey between now and the end of October, be sure to visit Castle Cornet where the Thin Red Line uniform collection is just one of the many interesting collections and attractions on view.

Castle Cornet

Location: Castle Emplacement, St.Peter Port, Guernsey

Telephone (01481) 721657

Castle Cornet stands over guard the entrance to the harbour and the town The old Hospital building is in the centre of the picture

Some disembarked troops look out towards the town while others remain in the transport

The old Hospital building, built in 1746 new home of the Thin Red Line collection

The entire collection was carried up to the old Hospital building

Arranging the line-up

"Crimea to Boer" The part of the exhibition dealing with the deve lopment of uniforms and equipment and the emergence of khaki

Ceremonial and other uniforms

Two members of the gun crew who fire the gun daily at noon

Firing the gun