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Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm

Public Event

Paranormal investigation

Visit the Museum after hours with the Spectral Nights paranormal team and use the latest technology to investigate paranormal activity within the short block at Peninsula Barracks.

This event is being hosted by ‘Spectral Nights’. For information on ticketing and details on what to expect on the night, please visit their website.

Date: 16th March 2024

Time: 1900 hrs

Cost: £19.95

Phone: 07891120231

Website: Spectral Nights

Winchester families and Lego lovers! Book now for

Winchester families and Lego lovers!

Book now for our half term activity day on the 28th May where children will learn of the vital role Gurkhas play in disaster relief efforts.

Your challenge is to engineer a LEGO model vehicle from the ground up. Once constructed, your creation will be pivotal in navigating a course filled with objectives to help provide aid to civilians in Nepal following an Earthquake. Do you have what it takes to become a Gurkha solider?

Ideal for ages 7+ and tickets must be booked in advance. Book now on our website (linked in our bio)
@miss_winchesteruk @visitwinchesteruk @winchestersmilitarymuseums @winchester.magazine

Read about the Siege of Kut, view animated battle

Read about the Siege of Kut, view animated battle maps from the clash at Ctesiphon and listen to quotes from soldiers in our latest free online exhibition 'Courage and Captivity: The Gurkhas at the Siege of Kut'. (Linked in our bio.)

On this day in 1945, Lachhiman Gurung's actions ea

On this day in 1945, Lachhiman Gurung's actions earnt him the Victoria Cross. This is the extraordinary story of the Gurkha who held off over 30 enemy soldiers with just one hand.

By May 1945, the Japanese position in Burma was fast unsustainable in the face of rapid Allied advance, primarily by the 14th Army under General William ‘Bill’ Slim, and they sought to retreat south along the Irrawaddy River. Several Allied units managed to get ahead of the Japanese at a small village named Taungdaw, setting up a defensive position to deny the Japanese troops a vital withdrawal route. Amongst them was Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung, whose platoon was situated 100 yards further out than the rest of his company with his squad occupying the most forward post of this platoon.

On May 11th, Japanese attacks began with the aim of clearing their path South. For 3 days the attacks continued and on the night of the 11th of May over 200 Japanese soldiers assaulted Lachhiman’s post with small arms and grenades. Lachhiman managed to return two grenades, but a third exploded in his hand, blowing off his fingers, severely wounding him and those around him. Regardless of these wounds, Lachhiman continued to hold his ground, loading and firing his rifle with his remaining hand until the attacks finally ceased. He then remained at his post for four hours, fighting off further attacks and killing perhaps over 30 enemy soldiers. This steadfast defence ensured that the position of his platoon and company did not fall and the route south remained denied to the Japanese forces.

For his brave actions, Lachhiman Gurung was presented with the Victoria Cross, awarded for valour in the presence of the enemy.

Follow us to hear more heroic stories of Gurkha bravery.

Victory in Europe Day – May 8th 1945. On this d

Victory in Europe Day – May 8th 1945.

On this day in 1945 the unconditional surrender of Axis forces in Europe was accepted by the Allies, marking the end of hostilities in that theatre.

Though not present in the northern theatre of Europe during the Second World War, the Allied 8th Army had relentlessly marched north, from Africa through Italy and towards the underbelly of Germany, all the while facing determined resistance at strongpoints like Medicina and Monte Cassino, forcing the surrender of the German forces in Italy on 2nd May 1945. The 8th Army’s 4th Indian Division, containing thousands of Gurkha troops, had been part of the campaign for almost the entirety of the war and faced some of the harshest fighting seen in Europe.

Two Victoria Crosses were awarded to Gurkhas in Italy, both posthumously, to Riflemen Sherbahadur Thapa and Thamang Gurung, in September and November 1944. The Gurkha Brigade Association

Calling all LEGO fans… This May half term, disc

Calling all LEGO fans…

This May half term, discover the vital role Gurkhas play in disaster relief efforts and embark on a family mission at our interactive LEGO workshop.

Families are invited to engineer a LEGO model vehicle from the ground up. Once constructed, your creation will be pivotal in navigating a course filled with objectives to help provide aid to civilians in Nepal following an Earthquake. Do you have what it takes to become a Gurkha solider?

Sessions last approximately one hour and must be booked in advance.

https://thegurkhamuseum.co.uk/event/lego-workshop/

On this day 108 years ago the British garrison at

On this day 108 years ago the British garrison at Kut al Amara surrendered to Turkish forces.

Between 5 December 1915 – 29 April 1916, the 6th (Poona) Division, which included the 2nd 7th Battalion Gurkha Rifles, were besieged in Kut. They endured months of heavy shellfire, hunger and disease. Despite this they held on to the town, only surrendering when they finally ran out of rations. Over 13,000 British and Indian soldiers were marched into captivity after the siege. Tragically, 4000 of them later died in Turkish prisoner-of-war camps.’

Although it was arguably one of Britain’s worst defeats in the Middle Eastern theatre of the First World War, the Siege of Kut is often forgotten. Next month we will be releasing an online exhibition on the siege which will be free to view and will tell stories of courage and captivity.

© The Gurkha Museum Trust Winchester - Registered Charity Number 1169920 (formerly 272426)