Recent acquisitions

The Museum adds approximately 100 new items to its collections every year. The items can be as small as a single photograph or document, or as large as a uniform collection with 1000s of separate items. Resources are limited so each decision to acquire material is carefully considered. A range of issues including the condition of an item, available storage space and copyright are taken into account, along with the Museum’s collecting policy and immediate collecting strategy.

If you are considering making the Museum an offer of an item or objects, please see our Donations information page.

Recent additions to the collection include:

• Silver loving cup inscribed in memory of Sub Lt Dennis Condick and LCT7015

• Cannon ball believed to be from the wreck of the Armada ship Duche de Florencia

• 3 oil paintings depicting Medway welcome to HMS Endurance (Roger Fisher), HMS Hermes entering Portsmouth (unknown) and Transfer of 5 Brigade from Queen Elizabeth II to Canberra, South Georgia 28 May 1982 (Rex Phillips)

• Woollen embroidery made by Seaman John Tillett c.1865

• Sheepskin lined greatcoat with canvas outer. Belonged to Lt Cdr W F G North c.1914

• Sword presented to Louis Tonge by the Hon. Sir F Pellew, HMS Winchester

• Poster: WWII recruitment poster for WRNS featuring Sylvia Henderson and oral history by Miss Henderson

• Sign erected by the Germans in Jossingfjord “Here on 16th Feb 1940 the Altmark was set upon by British Sea-Pirates”

• Unofficial ensign flown by RFA Appleleaf during the Falklands War

• Straw work box made by Napoleonic Prisoner of War at Portchester Castle