4540078173_980x78.jpg $20

REME Museum

MOD Lyneham



SN15 4XX


tel: +44 (0)1249 894869









Contact details: Kimberly Day, Assistant Curator


Date of visit: 27 June 2019


Nature and extent of collection


2,500 pieces. The Museum actively collects medals, both military and commemorative, awarded to REME soldiers.


We collect medals because they are the most obvious symbols of REME bravery and achievement. They help us tell the story of the Corps through the exceptional individuals who have served in it. Though we have many duplicates of certain WW2 medals we operate an open door policy for donations of such material as a mark of respect to the REME personnel and their families whose commitment to the REME Charity helps fund the Museum’s broader work.


Previous Collecting Policies have resulted in the accumulation of a small collection of post-WW2 currency from various countries though this is not actively collected anymore.



All numbers below are estimated


Modern and paper money: around 150

Medals (commemorative or military): around 2,300

Specific strengths: WW2 and Cold War military medals.


Library: N/A





Database used: Modes Complete.


Proportion of collection on database: 99%


How much detail in database entries? Medals: medal identified, name of recipient, brief physical description, most contain provenance information.

Currency: brief detail, currency inconsistently identified


Are images incorporated? Approximately 5% of medals have real images, though a previous system incorporated generic images of medal types into records for identification purposes.


Is the database accessible to the public? Not currently.


Is the database publicly accessible online? Not currently.





Are there permanent numismatic displays? A permanent medals display dominates our Remembrance gallery.


Is numismatic material incorporated into more general displays? Yes, medals illustrate displays on notable REME figures.


Is there a facility for temporary exhibitions? Yes, a one room temporary exhibition space.

































Access to the collection


Is there a study facility? We maintain a reading room for research visits. Viewings by appointment only.


Is equipment (balances, magnifying glasses, etc.) provided? Equipment like gloves, rests and magnifying glasses can be provided on request.



Public engagement with numismatic collection


Is there a handling collection? Yes, a collection of un-provenanced and replica medals are used for handling.


Are numismatic collections used in Education sessions? Medals are used in Education programme’s ‘Heroes’ workshop for primary school students – students handle replica medals and view the real thing before designing their own.


Do numismatic collections feature in gallery talks, lectures? Certain medals are featured in standard gallery tours as a way of discussing the work of key figures in REME history.


Are there other engagement activities based around numismatic collections? Not currently.



ID and public enquiries


Does the museum offer a service for identifying objects and other public enquiries? We occasionally provide an informal identification service.



Curatorial knowledge


Is there any numismatic expertise in-house? If so, who, and in what areas? Our Vehicle Collections Manager has a personal interest in campaign and gallantry medals and can be a good source of information, especially for identification, but this is in an informal capacity.


Is there access to external expertise? If so, who and in what areas? Personal contact with other military museums helps us to gain knowledge on an informal basis regarding our medals collection.



REME_Master_FInalNoCogs_CMYK IMG_20190527_085144 B06T8535 B06T8624 B06T8607