Suffolk Regiment archives to become available to view at West Suffolk House

02 Dec 2024

Historical records charting more than 270 years of active service for the Suffolk Regiment have found a new home thanks to support from two councils.

The charitable trust which runs the newly refurbished Suffolk Regiment Museum at the historic Gibraltar Barracks on Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, had been looking for somewhere nearby to bring its archives, including those on loan – under one roof.

West Suffolk Council already has strong links with the Suffolk Regiment, including a gallery on display at the council run Moyse’s Hall Museum. 

Now the co-owners of West Suffolk House, West Suffolk Council, and Suffolk County Council have worked with the Suffolk Regiment Trustees to bring its archives to the public building where they will be available for people to view by appointment.

Lt Col Tony Slater OBE from the Suffolk Regiment Museum said: “We are delighted and grateful for the support from the two councils as well as the support from Bury St Edmunds Town Council. The regiment has a proud history and close local links dating all the way back to 1685 through to its amalgamation with the Royal Norfolk Regiment, in 1959 and on to the current regiment, the Royal Anglian Regiment.” 

“Many local people will have relatives or ancestors who have served with the Suffolk Regiment including those who fought on the Somme and in the Ypres Salient during the First World War and in Normandy, across Europe, North Africa, and Italy in the Second World War. There will also be many with family links to those who endured three and a half years as Far East Prisoners of War after the Fall of Singapore in 1942. And of course, large numbers of local men did National service with the regiment after the war in the 1940’s and 1950’s including active service during the Malayan and Cyprus Emergencies.” 

“This move enables us to bring all of those historic records together for the first time in a public building close to our museum so that people can view the archives for themselves more easily.”

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure at West Suffolk Council said: “We and our residents are proud of our history and heritage in West Suffolk and our strong association with the armed forces. Celebrating and connecting people to their heritage is part of our work to support thriving communities.  The Suffolk Regiment is a key part of that heritage. 

“We already work closely with the Suffolk Regiment trustees through our work with them at Moyse’s Hall Museum and so we are extremely pleased that we, and Suffolk County as co-owners of the building, have been able to support the charity with a new home for their archives, close to the regimental museum.”

Cllr Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality said: “We are delighted to have worked with West Suffolk Council and the Suffolk Regiment Trustees to bring these important historical archives together in West Suffolk House. This partnership ensures the rich history of the Suffolk Regiment is preserved and accessible for generations to come, further strengthening our shared commitment to celebrating Suffolk’s heritage.”

The Suffolk Regiment Archives will be available to view by appointment on Wednesdays and Thursdays from April 2025. Anyone wishing to view the archives should contact the Museum, contact details of which can be found on the Suffolk Regiment Museum website where you can also find the museum opening hours. 

You can find out more about the Suffolk Regiment Gallery on the Moyse’s Hall Museum website.  

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