This website is principally a photographic online museum of genuine military uniforms and equipment.
We thought that the Ernest Sale collection of militaria, which includes some rare items, may be of interest to several other collectors and enthusiasts around the world. It was decided, therefore, to make this ongoing collection available as an online ‘museum’ for other people with similar interests to browse, and to perhaps share knowledge and thoughts and maybe help us to learn a little more about these fascinating artefacts. The collection currently consists of over 500 pieces and is continually growing. Although it includes several fine examples of items from diverse periods, the two main and featured subjects of the collection are the World War 1 era, and the Crimean War era.
At age 19, Ernest Sale served in the Royal Navy as Leading Seaman Radar Operator on the monitor HMS Roberts, from 1944-46. On 6 June 1944 he took part in the D-Day landings in Operation Neptune, attacking the German Houlgate gun position off Band Beach, just east of Sword Beach, and in 1945 was assigned to Operation Mailfist, the journey to liberate Singapore.
His legacy collection of militaria began in around 1970, and is continued today by his two sons, David and George, who are extremely privileged to have become the treasury’s current curators. Their favorite subjects, as you might guess, are the Crimean War and World War 1, respectively. And, we would love to hear from other enthusiasts, everywhere, with whom we could share our passion.
Comments and questions about the exhibits are sincerely invited and we hope that visitors will be able to discuss the topics and contribute knowledge and detail to the subjects, and maybe even feature their own related items for comparison and scrutiny.
We hope you enjoy access to this collection and we look forward to your involvement.