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Medals on display in the Active Service gallery

Active service

Experience six aspects of battle through the eyes of Scottish servicemen.

Find out about the personal experience of fighting, the ultimate task of any miltary organisation.

The extreme nature of this experience makes it difficult to imagine for those who have not gone through it themselves. Here is an opportunity to explore something of the reality of war and how it was represented to others.

Find out what it was like to face the enemy and even face up to death. Learn about leadership and morale, victory and defeat, loss and commemoration.

Things to see

This gallery offers a personal perspective of over 300 years of warfare through collections of medals, memorabilia and weapons relating to extraordinary individuals.

Click on the images below to see larger versions of some of the objects on display.

Photos and other personal effects belonging to Private Alexander Henderson Death's head badge designed by officers of No4 Commando in 1940 Medals awarded to Captain Mark W Wright for service in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan 1999-2006

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Sheet of commemorative poster stamps sold to raise money for the Scottish National War Memorial

Sheet of commemorative poster stamps sold to raise money for the Scottish National War Memorial.

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130