Posted on June 5, 2025
Victory in Europe Day
VE Day Rightly celebrates the end of a truly awful European war and those who celebrated in May 1945 knew...
Blog
Posted on April 9, 2025
April to early May: Pursuit through Germany and surrender
The opening entry in the War Diary for 5 DCLI – the Cornish battalion – for 1 April 1945 noted:...
Posted on April 9, 2025
March 1945 – Crossing The Rhine
Following the battles of the Reichwald, by 1 March 1945, the War Diary of the 5th Battalion of the Duke...
Posted on March 3, 2025
February 1945: The battles of the Reichwald
Between D Day on 6 June 1944 and VE Day on 8 May 1945 the Allied advance towards Germany saw...
Posted on March 3, 2025
5 DCLI January 1945: Gargling, Weasels, and Kangaroos
[i] The National Archive, WO171-5177, pp. 5-6. [ii] TNA, WO171-5177, p. 9. [iii] TNA, WO171-5177, p. 14. [iv] TNA, WO171-5177,...
Posted on December 20, 2024
Christmas 1944
In late December 1944, eighty years ago, the 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (5th DCLI) had spent the...
Posted on March 15, 2024
From the Archive: Visitors Books
One recent discovery from our archive is a collection of visitor books dating back to the time when the Keep was an operational base.
Posted on December 14, 2023
From the Archive: Christmas Greetings From History
Sending Christmas cards continues to be a popular tradition in the United Kingdom during the festive season, despite the advent of e-cards and social media. A tradition that is reflected within the military establishment and during times of war.
Posted on November 3, 2023
From the Archive: The First BAOR – 2nd Battalion DCLI in Germany 1922-1924
Many who grew up during the Cold War will be familiar with the term BAOR (British Army Of the Rhine). Perhaps less well known is that the British Army also occupied part of Germany after the end of the First World War.
Posted on September 22, 2023
Collection Highlights: Auxiliary Unit Badge
The Auxiliary Unit badge (pictured above) is a very small enamel badge issued to a small group of men who were prepared to pay the ultimate price for their country during wartime.
Posted on September 19, 2023
Unlocking the Light Infantry Archive: 1968 – 2007
Bodmin Keep is working on an oral history project to capture testimonials and experiences from Light Infantry veterans about deployments to Northern Ireland between 1969-1998.
Posted on July 6, 2023
Dealing With Disaster – New Exhibition!
Our new exhibition, Dealing with Disaster highlights the British Army’s role in natural disaster relief and delves into one of...
Posted on May 12, 2023
African American GIs in Cornwall: final blog
Since November 2022, independent researcher Charlotte Marchant, has been working with Bodmin Keep in partnership with the Imperial War Museum...
Posted on April 18, 2023
No Common Flag
‘Remember that this is no common flag which I am committing to your keeping… It is the emblem of duty;...
Posted on March 8, 2023
Sparkling Silver
For this month’s, Artefact of the Month, we have chosen to spotlight a majestic silver centrepiece on display in our...
Posted on January 27, 2023
Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day is a time for remembering the millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust and...
Posted on January 27, 2023
Regimental Trophy turned Rugby Cup
This splendid solid silver cup belongs to the Cornwall Rugby Football Union but originated with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light...
Posted on January 25, 2023
African American GIs in Cornwall
Photo credit: Kresen Kernow, GE/2/E/8174 Bodmin Keep has been working with the Imperial War Museum on a project to research...