Light Infantry Galleries

On this page you can find out about our Light Infantry Galleries and some of the star objects in the collection.  The Light Infantry museum collection and archive has been at Bodmin since its move from Winchester in 2009.  The extensive galleries occupy about half of the second floor of The Keep and were formally opened by HM Princess Alexandra in 2010.  Since then, the galleries have been the subject of further major investment, including new display cases, an introductory video, a new Sir John Moore gallery and digital interactives.

Introductory Gallery

In this gallery, which is set up like a mini-cinema,  visitors can sit in comfort to watch an introductory film (8 minutes) which tells the story of the Light Infantry.  It’s a great introduction for our military and non-military visitors alike. The room also contains a display of uniforms and artefacts from each of the LI’s forming regiments.

Berlin Wall Gallery

In this gallery you can get close up to a huge piece of the Berlin Wall that was brought back to the UK by the LI.  You can also see a range of uniforms and watch short films on our touchscreen covering a range of topics, including Jungle Warfare and Rations, which bring the story of the LI to life.  The Berlin Wall was awarded ‘Object of the Year’ in the 2018 Cornwall Heritage Awards.

Sir-John-Moore-Room, Cornwall's Regimental Museum, Bodmin Keep, Sir John Moore, Light Infantry, DCLI, Battle of Corunna

Sir John Moore Room

This impressive room tells the story of the founding father of the Light Infantry, Sir John Moore.  Exhibits includes his silk ‘Order of the Bath’ mantle and the sword he was wearing when he was killed at the battle of Corunna in 1809.  

Northern Ireland and Middle East Room

This room contains dramatic material relating to the LI in Northern Ireland.  The LI stained glass window from Omagh contrasts vividly with a captured IRA Mortar launcher and ‘home-made’ IRA weapons.  The room also houses the bullet- damaged helmet worn by an LI soldier who narrowly escaped with his life.  Short films accessed via the interactive touchscreen give horses mouth accounts of what it was like to serve during ‘the troubles’.