So Red a Road: a New Book by Christopher Jary

A new book reveals for the first time the extent of the sacrifice made by the men of the Dorset Regiment who, in September 1944, crossed the Neder Rijn near Arnhem to rescue the parachute and glider troops trapped on the north bank. By combining regimental records with survivors’ accounts

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Aim Pilgrim Trust Collections Care Award

We are thrilled to announce we’ve been awarded an AIM Pilgrim Trust Collections Care audit! Thank you to the Association of Independent Museums and The Pilgrim Trust for supporting our work at the museum and helping us care for our collection!

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image shows infographic with red background that reads "Half Term Museum mannequin challenge", with photograph of museum mannequin in red uniform on right hand side

Half Term Museum Mannequin Challenge!

Join us this October half term for our Museum Mannequin Challenge 2022! Some of our visitors think our mannequins are scary… but we know that they’re friendly, and want to be a part of your fun at the museum! From the 24th-30th of October, we’re challenging our visitors to pose

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Refashioning History Project by Eve Gilmour

The Keep Military Museum was delighted to welcome Eve Gilmour, a sixth former from Dorchester, to the museum recently on a work experience placement. Eve is a keen sewer, and studies history, textiles and English literature for her A Levels. For her work experience project, Eve utilised all her skills

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The Olympic Champion of the Dorset Regiment

The Olympic Champion of the Dorset Regiment The 1912 Olympics were held in Stockholm, Sweden, and were quite different to what we know as the modern Olympics today. Events included Tug Of War, the very generally named “Sports” category, and shooting events. The Stockholm Games brought in a new era

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Benedict Arnold and Major Andre: The 54th Regiment of Foot in America

Benedict Arnold and Major Andre: The 54th Regiment of Foot in America by Oli Horn The 54th Regiment of Foot in America The 54th Regiment of Foot was first raised in the 1750s, and involved in several major conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s and the Indian Rebellion

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The Last Surviving D-Day Ration Pack

Staff at the Keep Military Museum in Dorchester have discovered a World War 2 D-Day ration pack in the museum collection.  It is believed to be the only surviving complete Assault Ration Pack in the world. The “Assault Ration Pack” was issued to British and Commonwealth soldiers for the D-Day

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The Dorsetshire Regiment’s “Peaky Blinder”- Private Frank Cherry MM

Each medal won in conflict tells a story, both of the moment it was won and of the recipient. The Military Medal won by Private Frank Cherry of the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment has recently revealed a story with a violent and criminal history, connecting this private to

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Join our team at the Keep!

We’re looking for Front of House volunteers to join our team here at the Keep! The museum desk and shop are run by a fantastic team of volunteers. We’re looking for people to join the team, specifically on Sundays and Mondays! If you’re interested in military history, enjoy interacting with

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This Easter at the Keep!

Easter is almost here, and with the school holidays starting next week we’re so excited to share our Easter activities with you, and share some Easter objects from the collection! Chocolate Tin Crafts (and some tins from the collection!) Join us from the 11th-15th of April for our Chocolate Tin

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