Photo Gallery
Associated Web Link: www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk
Transcript Of Narration
We now move to the eastward end of the seafront where we come to the Royal Marines Museum. The Royal Marines were formed in 1664 and have a colourful history the museum charts this history and is housed in the Victorian (grade II listed building) formerly Eastney Barracks on the seafront in Eastney. The museum is in the original officers quarters of the barracks with the Marines quarters now being private apartments.
The museum includes a Falklands video display telling the marines story during the Falklands War. The museum is the guardian of all ten Victoria Crosses awarded to the Royal Marines. Along with these there is a display of many of the other medals awarded to the Royal Marines. There is a video show on the D-Day landings along with many new sections and other videos.
The displays include the story of Hannah Snell a woman who ran off to sea in 1745 disguised as a male marine and is brought to life by a 3D state-of-the-art display. There is also a section about the Royal Marine Band who are still based in Portsmouth.
Not only do the displays tell the history of the Royal Marines but the buildings too have a story to tell. Work started on the construction of the barracks to house the Royal Marine Artillery in 1862. In the move to Eastney, the musketry and gunnery training fields were retained while the large parade ground and eventually a gymnasium, theatre and drill shed, made the division self contained. It was not until 1867 that the whole division was in the barracks and not until 1868 that the officer s quarters were completed.
When in 1923 the Royal Marine Light Infantry and Royal Marine Artillery amalgamated Eastney became home of the Portsmouth Division. The barracks are now apartments with the officers quarters being the Royal Marines Museum, the marines have now moved to Whale Island. For more information about the Royal Marines Museum have a look at www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk.
Please Note: The Royal Marines Museum closed its galleries on 1st April 2017 in preparation for its move to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
