Serjeant Edward Cooper VC

Serjeant Edward Cooper VC

From Fruit Cart to Front Lines Edward Cooper was born in Stockton-on-Tees in May 1896, and left school at just 13 to begin life as an errand boy in his uncle’s butcher shop. By the outbreak of the First World War, he was running his own Co-operative Society fruit...
Major-General Robert “Black Bob” Craufurd

Major-General Robert “Black Bob” Craufurd

Unknown Author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Major-General Robert Craufurd was an extraordinary man with an extensive military career who commanded a light brigade in Wellington’s army, later the Light Division. Thanks to his fiery temper and his tendency...
Wellington’s Court Dress

Wellington’s Court Dress

Item Details: A long-tailed coatee, originally green, with black facings, silver epaulettes, and silver Rifle Brigade Buttons. When the British Army was reduced following the Napoleonic wars, the 95th Rifles became the Rifle Brigade, having distinguished itself too...
Salamanca Key

Salamanca Key

“By God, that will do!”: The Key to Salamanca Item Details: A large, ornate key with the coat of arms of Salamanca engraved on the bow. The Battle of Salamanca, fought on 22 July 1812, was a significant victory during the Peninsular War. Commanded by Arthur Wellesley,...