The Thin Red Line collection of Victorian uniforms and equipment is available for hire to museums, libraries and similar institutions The collection has been divided into two categories and presented as
"Crimea to Boer War - The uniforms and equipment of the Victorian Soldier"

and "Ceremonial and Review Order Uniforms"

The second category is self-explanatory and obviously visually very attractive. In the first category we have attempted to demonstrate the gradual change during the last half of the nineteenth century from the soldier having to fight in virtually a dress uniform in the Crimean war, as he had done during the Napoleonic and earlier periods, to the use of a totally khaki uniform in the Boer War. This uniform and the equipment worn in this conflict formed the basis for the development of the khaki uniforms and webbing equipment of both WWI and WWII, which have further developed into the familiar camouflage and sophisticated equipment as worn by today's soldiers This exhibition of the development of uniform and equipment is quite unique.Regimental museums only display the uniforms of their own regiment, be it infantry, cavalry, artillery or whatever, and in any case comprise mostly of officers' uniforms and accoutrements, as the equipment and uniform of the ordinary soldier simply wore out and was lost. There is no museum, not even the National Army Museum, which shows uniforms and equipment across all branches of the Victorian army. This exhibition, therefore is of special interest to large numbers of Victorian militaria enthusiasts and has a strong educational value with its explanatory signage as well as simply being visually very attractive to the casual visitor All the uniforms and equipment which form the exhibition can be seen individually in the "Uniform Museum" section of this website which precedes this page.

Purpose built display stands accompany the collection and they contain colour images of each uniform together with the text which can be found here on this website. When arranged in front of the collection, the display stands are not only a source of information, but also act as a barrier between the public and the collection itself. We have a full colour brochure on the collection which we will be glad to send to you, should you be interested in displaying the collection in your museum, stately home, library etc. The collection can also be utilised a s part of a living history presentation to UK schoolchildren for National Curriculum Stage 2 studies. We can provide presenters who will appear in authentic uniform or costume to give a presentation specifically tailored to encourage interactivity from the children.

Please contact us for more information and details of charges