It is with some disappointment that we have had to take the decision to fully close the Ashworth Barracks Museum to both the public and staff as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Safety of you and our people are uppermost in our thoughts and because of this the decision has been taken and we we will not reopen at the current site.
This is a big thank you to all who support us at Cedar Road Balby and a call out for you to continue to watch this space as we expand our displays to new venues once we have got through this crisis.
The page will remain open and please feel free to post or ask questions as we will continue to monitor. You can still support us and the trust by attending our new venues in the future as well as any fund raising to keep us afloat financially.
Once again a huge thank you from all of the Staff at the Museum.
Morning all - an exciting announcement for our supporters on the future of the Ashworth Barracks Museum collection and its continued display for all to enjoy.
VC Trust news release
Unique Victoria Cross collection finds a new home in Sheffield
A unique collection of military memorabilia that tells the stories of some of the country’s Victoria Cross (VC) heroes is to go on display at Sheffield’s National Emergency Services Museum (NESM) after it leaves its current site in Doncaster.
The Ashworth Collection, owned by the Doncaster-based charity The Victoria Cross Trust (VCT), will lose its base in April when the Ashworth Barracks Museum closes for good. NESM has offered a permanent home for the majority of the remaining collection, which may otherwise have been sold or split up, at its museum in Sheffield City Centre.
NESM will create a new gallery to house the collection on behalf of the VCT within the World War I zone of its forthcoming exhibition about the history of the fire service. The new space, which is due to open towards the end of 2020, will be designed in collaboration with the VCT. It will include exhibits currently at Ashworth such as recreated trenches and a display honouring double VC recipient, Noel Godfrey Chavasse.
The museum is currently working with the VCT to formally establish a partnership that will see the two work together on delivering events and outreach activities, dual-volunteer opportunities and joint funding ventures. The two charities will also co-operate to deliver the history of the Victoria Cross and the emergency services to the general public.
Matthew Wakefield, chief executive of NESM, says, ‘We’re pleased to have been able to take this important collection into our care and offer it a new permanent home that means the majority of these objects and displays can stay in South Yorkshire.
‘As part of the redevelopment of our fire service gallery we will be able to tell the story of these remarkable VC recipients in the wider context of the development of the emergency services at war and during peace time. It will be a great addition to our museum.’
Guy Aston, trustee from the VCT, says, ‘We’re excited to be working with NESM to ensure the majority of our remaining collection can stay on public display. The museum will take on the long-term care of our collection on our behalf and allow us to concentrate on our main mission which is to restore, clean and maintain the graves of VC recipients and educate people about the history of the VC.’
The Ashworth Barracks museum will close on 19 April. The new gallery at NESM is expected to open at the end of the year.
The National Emergency Services Museum is the world’s largest 999 museum, showcasing all of our emergency services through hands-on learning with history. With over 40 vehicles on site from manual and horsepower to steam and motor and with three floors of exhibits to explore, discover and learn including real Victorian police cells there really is something for all the family. For more information visit www.visitnesm.org.uk.
The National Emergency Services Museum is a self-funded organisation dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Emergency Services and their communities. We are regularly involved in local community work, wider national and international projects as well as events all over the country
National Emergency Services Museum
www.visitnesm.org.uk
The National Emergency Services Museum is a self-funded organisation dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Emergency Services and their communities. We are regularly involved in local co...George LambertFor distinguished conduct, at Onao, on the 29th of July; at Bithoor, on the 16th of August; and at Lucknow, on the 25th of September.
Work is still ongoing on this grave.
Thomas PrideOn 6 September 1864 at Shimonoseki, Japan, Captain of the After Guard Pride was one of the two colour sergeants who accompanied Midshipman Duncan Gordon Boyes from HMS Euryalus when they carried the Queen's Colour into action in the capture of the enemy's stockade. They kept the flag flying in spite of the fierce fire which killed the other colour sergeant and severely wounded Pride. He and the midshipman, however, did not falter and were only finally prevented from going further forward by direct orders from their superior officer.
George Harry WyattOn 25/26 August 1914 at Landrecies, France, part of Lance-Corporal Wyatt's battalion was hotly engaged close to some farm buildings when the enemy set alight some straw sacks in the farmyard. The lance-corporal twice dashed out under very heavy fire from the enemy, only 25 yards (23 m) away, and extinguished the burning straw, making it possible to hold the position. Later, although wounded in the head, he continued firing until he could no longer see owing to the blood pouring down his face. The medical officer bound up his wound and ordered him to the rear, but he returned to the firing line and went on fighting
John BuckleyFor gallant conduct in the defence of the Magazine at Delhi, on the 11th May, 1857.
Deputy Assistant Commissary Buckley was one of nine men who defended the ammunition storehouse for more than five hours against large numbers of mutineers. When the wall was being scaled and hope of outside help was gone, they blew up the ammunition, killing many of the mutineers. Of the defenders, five died in the explosion and one shortly afterwards, while Buckley, George Forrest, and William Raynor survived.
Ferdinand (Freddie) WestOn 12 August 1918, the British Army was intending to start a major offensive, but it needed information about the enemy positions. Setting off at dawn, West and his observer, Lt. William Haslam, flying an Armstrong Whitworth FK 8 (serial number C8602), spotted an enemy concentration through a hole in the mist. Avoiding severe ground fire, almost immediately they came under attack from seven German fighter aircraft and West was hit in the leg, and his radio transmitter was smashed.
Continuing to identify his location, he remained under attack and manoeuvred his machine so skilfully that his observer was able to get several good bursts into the enemy machines, which drove them away. Only when he was sure of the enemy's position did he attempt to break off and head for his own lines. He twisted his trouser leg into a tourniquet to stem the flow of blood from his wounds. Unable to make his airfield West landed behind the Allied lines and insisted on reporting his findings despite being in excruciating agony. His left leg had five wounds, one of which had shattered his femur and cut the femoral artery, and had to be amputated.
Frederick William BellOn 16 May 1901 at Brakpan, Transvaal, South Africa, when retiring through a heavy fire after holding the right flank, Lieutenant Bell noticed a man dismounted and returned and took him up behind him. The horse not being equal to the weight fell with them, Lieutenant Bell then remained behind and covered the man's retirement till he was out of danger.
Clifford CoffinOn 31 July 1917 in Westhoek, Belgium, when his command was held up in attack owing to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, Brigadier-General Coffin went forward and made an inspection of his front posts. Although under the heaviest fire from both machine-guns and rifles and in full view of the enemy, he showed an utter disregard of personal danger, walking quietly from shell-hole to shell-hole, giving advice and cheering his men by his presence. His gallant conduct had the greatest effect on all ranks and it was largely owing to his personal courage and example that the shell-hole line was held.
Thomas Henry SageOn 4 October 1917 at Tower Hamlets Spur, east of Ypres, Belgium, Private Sage was in a shell-hole with eight other men, one of whom was shot while throwing a bomb which fell back into the shell-hole. Private Sage, with great presence of mind, immediately threw himself on it, and so saved the lives of several of his comrades, although he himself was severely wounded.
Work with friends of Wardsend cemetery starting the ball rolling and being well reported locally.
Mark Sever BellFor his distinguished bravery, and zealous, resolute, and self-devoted conduct at the battle of Ordahsu, on the 4th February 1874, whilst serving under the immediate orders of Colonel Sir John Chetham McLeod, K.C.B., of the 42nd Regiment, who commanded the Advanced Guard. Sir John McLeod was an eye witness of his gallant find distinguished conduct on the occasion, and considers that this Officer's fearless and resolute bearing, being always in the front, urging on and encouraging an unarmed working party of Fantee labourers, who were exposed not only to the fire of the Enemy, but to the wild and irregular fire of the Native Troops in the rear, contributed very materially to the success of the day. By his example, he made these men do what no European party was ever required to do in warfare, namely, to work under fire in the face of the Enemy without a covering party.
<a href="https://victoriacrosstrust.org/vc_recipient/mark-sever-bell/">link text</a>
William Harold ColtmanLance Corporal Coltman was 26 years old and a stretcher-bearer, when the following deed took place in France, for which he was awarded the VC.
For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty. During the operations at Mannequin Hill, north-east of Sequehart, on the 3rd and 4th of Oct. 1918, L.-Corp. Coltman, a stretcher-bearer, hearing that wounded had been left behind during a retirement, went forward alone in the face of fierce enfilade fire, found the casualties, dressed them and on three successive occasions, carried comrades on his back to safety, thus saving their lives. This very gallant NCO tended the wounded unceasingly for 48 hours.
Coltman was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 22 May 1919.
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