All ten Victoria Crosses awarded to members of the Royal Marines will be displayed together for the first time at the newly established Royal Marines Experience in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The permanent exhibition, opening on 24 October, showcases more than three centuries of Royal Marines history alongside stories of exceptional bravery from conflicts including the Crimean War and both world wars.
Matthew Sheldon, chief executive officer of Royal Navy Museums, described the gathering of all ten medals as a "fantastically special" event. The original Victoria Crosses, which have historically been kept in secure storage, had never before been exhibited collectively. Sheldon emphasized the rarity of the award within the corps, noting that only ten Victoria Crosses have ever been conferred upon Royal Marines.
The exhibition aims not only to honor acts of courage under fire but also to provoke reflection on the nature of military service and the UK’s role in global conflicts historically and in the present day. Sheldon highlighted that recipients of the Victoria Cross among the marines tended to be relatively young and usually held junior ranks, often serving in small, agile units involved in close-quarters combat. He suggested that the medals prompt visitors to consider the difficult choices faced during moments of extreme peril.
Recent Royal Marines operations underscore the ongoing strategic importance of the corps. Earlier this month, marines returned to the Faroe Islands for the first time since World War II as part of security efforts in the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap. Additionally, commando engineers have recently practiced constructing underground hospitals designed to protect against drone attacks, underscoring evolving military tactics.
Among the highlighted stories is that of Sergeant Norman Augustus Finch, who earned his Victoria Cross during the 1918 Zeebrugge Raid. Assigned to a lookout platform on HMS Vindictive, Finch continued engaging enemy positions despite severe injuries sustained when his post was hit by shellfire. His peers elected him to receive the Victoria Cross in recognition of his steadfast courage.
Another featured narrative is that of Lance Corporal Walter Richard Parker, a stretcher bearer during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. Parker crossed 365 meters of open ground under heavy enemy fire to reach isolated troops, becoming the only member of his party to do so. He provided aid to wounded soldiers and later assisted in their evacuation, despite suffering serious injuries himself.
Mark Berry, assistant curator of artefacts, highlighted Parker’s story as illustrating the multifaceted role of the Royal Marines, emphasizing that their duties extend beyond combat to include lifesaving efforts.
The Royal Marines Experience, funded by a £15 million investment, is designed to offer visitors an immersive understanding of the history, bravery, and evolving role of the corps through its collection, including the hard-won Victoria Crosses.