The Imperial War Museum London is bidding farewell to its war medal exhibition, the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, to make way for new galleries delving into post-World War II conflicts. Established in 2010 through a generous donation by Michael Ashcroft, the gallery showcased a remarkable collection of around 200 Victoria Crosses spanning various wars, including the Crimean and Falklands wars, alongside existing medals from the museum’s collection.
Lord Ashcroft had originally intended to extend the loan and eventually bequeath the collection to the museum, but recent developments suggest otherwise. Expressing his disappointment, Ashcroft highlighted the significance of the gallery in commemorating the heroic acts of UK servicemen throughout history.
The decision to close the exhibition stems from the museum’s strategic plan to revamp its upper floors with galleries focusing on post-World War II conflicts such as the Cold War, the Falklands War, and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Despite the closure, the museum assured that Victoria Crosses and George Crosses will remain on display across all its branches, integrated within galleries providing historical context.
According to the Imperial War Museum, the shift in focus towards post-World War II conflicts is a response to the underrepresentation of this era in its current exhibitions. Recent years have seen significant updates to the museum’s displays on the first and second world wars, the Holocaust, and various art collections, leaving a gap in the narrative of conflicts post-1945.
The forthcoming galleries aim to bridge this gap by presenting stories of conflicts that are still vivid in the memory of many visitors. The closure of the Lord Ashcroft Gallery signifies a new chapter in the museum’s narrative, as it prepares to showcase the bravery and sacrifices made in defense of the nation during these lesser-represented conflicts.
Despite the closure of the war medal exhibition, the Imperial War Museum remains grateful to Lord Ashcroft and other private lenders who facilitated the display of these significant medals over the years. The museum’s commitment to preserving and sharing stories of bravery and sacrifice continues, with plans to integrate the medals into galleries across its UK branches, ensuring that the legacy of these extraordinary heroes endures.
The closure of the Lord Ashcroft Gallery marks a pivotal moment in the museum’s evolution, signaling a shift towards a more comprehensive portrayal of conflicts beyond the world wars. As the institution prepares to embark on this new chapter, visitors can anticipate a richer tapestry of narratives that honor the courage and valor of individuals who shaped the course of history in the post-1945 era.