The Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham offered us a fantastic experience day along with several work experience placements for rewards this year!
For the experience day this year, we got a behind the scenes tour of the museum and got the chance to see some of the incredible war pieces the Royal Engineers contain. From maps, to uniforms, to shields and weapons (Not pictured here). Danielle, their collections manager, showed us around, explained how they look after the artefacts they own and told us about some of the projects they have, such as the digitisation of their collection and how that works. With how hot the day was, seeing the climate controlled store was very necessary. We got to see letters, photos and notebooks from a variety of different sources who were involved with the Royal Engineers over the years. We also were given a tour of the armoury! This had guns, swords, mines, clubs and Victoria Cross’. Danielle has a fantastic story of one of the Victoria Crosses and why the recipient was awarded it posthumously.
After lunch, students who attended were able to speak to the museum’s director who gave them some time to ask questions and find out how best to go about working within a museum.
Their whole collection is incredible and worth seeing if you’re in the Gillingham area and the experience day is incredibly helpful if you are looking at working in conservation and museums. Find out more about The Royal Engineers Museum here.
