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Royal Signals Museum, Dorset

Communications on a battlefield have a history that goes back to ancient Greek civilisations, but it wasn't until the Crimean War between 1853 and 1856 that the electronic telegraph allowed effective communication over long distances. Once messages could be transmitted quickly between army units, then military coordination obviously improved. But this development also added a new and unpredictable dimension to war. Once news of war could be transmitted quickly, then news became part of the war itself. Reports by William Howard Russell of The Times newspaper were flashed quickly back to London by electronic telegraph and were read avidly in Britain. Russell's reports had a huge influence on opinion. Tennyson wrote his Charge of the Light Brigade in October 1854 after reading about the charge in The Times. Reports on conditions in hospitals led to Florence Nightingale travelling to the Crimea to try and improve medical care. Later in history military commanders and politicians would have to worry about battles, and also about what newspapers were saying about battles. This all began during the Crimean War, the first war when certain soldiers were giving the job of looking after the new electronic signalling systems.

The earliest electronic signalling machines can be viewed at the museum. There is also a comprehensive reference library which can be used Monday to Friday, by prior arrangement by ringing 01258 482413. First school visits are free of charge.

There is a NAFFI style canteen.

Opening Times: Monday to Friday, all year, 10am - 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. Weekend and Bank Holidays from 16th February to 26th October, 10am - 4pm, last entry at 3pm. Closed 16th December 2008 - 5th January 2009.

Directions: The Royal Signals Museum is at Blandford Camp in Dorset, and is signposted from the Blandford Forum ring road. Click here for an interactive map centred on the Royal Signals Museum.

Access: Disabled access is good to all areas of the museum. Adapted toilet facilities are provided.

Contact:

telephone: 01258 482248

web site: http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignalsmuseum/