Peninsular War Artefacts Go On Show At Wrexham Museum

A major new exhibition showcasing artefacts from the Peninsular War is set to go on show at Wrexham County Borough Museum & Archives on Monday.

“To War with Wellington” is taken from one of the most fascinating collections in Wales that is held in private hands.

It tells the story of the Peninsular War Britain’s struggle to liberate Portugal and Spain from French occupation two hundred years ago.

The British Army, including the Royal Welch Fusiliers, waged a bloody and often desperate six year campaign aided by the Portuguese and Spanish Armies and their guerilla forces against Napoleon’s generals.

The fascinating collection has been gathered together over the past forty years by Michael Crumplin, a well-known retired surgeon, lecturer, author and re-enactor.

This is the first time the full collection has gone on display in a public museum and the resulting display will certainly appeal to anyone with the slightest interest in military history.

The collections on display in the exhibition include:

A ticket to Nelson’s funeral procession in 1806.

Part of the sash said to have lowered to Sir John Moore into the ground at Corunna in 1808.

Silver plate, captured from the baggage train of the King of Spain after the battle of Vittoria, 1813.

Silver chamber pot, used on campaign in the Peninsula, c.1812.

Muskets, pistols and sabres used by the French and the British, 1808-15.

Cannon ball, fired at the Battle of Waterloo, 1815.

Helmet and sabre, belonging to Henry Ellis Boates of Overton, Wrexham, while serving in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo, 1814-15.

The exhibition also includes a small film produced by Glenn Lewis Smith from the University of Portsmouth in association with Michael Crumplin, on the medical aspects of the Peninsular War.

Over 30,000 British soldiers died from disease while on campaign, three times the number killed on the battlefield.

The original idea for the exhibition came from Mr. Crumplin himself, he said: “I have been collecting artefacts and ephemera from these wars all my adult life really to enhance my enthusiasm and enjoyment of the subject.

“Collections must be used and not hidden away, and every object tells a story. My passion for an interest in the human aspects of conflict stems from a life in medicine, pride in our armed forces and a fascination for human endurance and innovation, particularly during these long French Wars.

“One of the very few benefits of combat is the chance to advance battlefield medicine. We see this par excellence in Afghanistan today, in 2012.”

Jonathan Gammond, Access & Interpretation Officer at Wrexham Museum, added: “As soon as I saw Michael’s collection, I knew we had the makings of a great exhibition. The story of the Peninsular War and the skill with which Wellington led his troops is remarkable.

“For action and adventure, the Peninsular War equals the World Wars of the twentieth century, and in this exhibition you can come face to face with objects that are part of this amazing story.

“I would like to thank Michael Crumplin, Gary Barnshaw and Brian Owen of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum for their help in putting on this exhibition. Without them, there would be nothing to show.”

The exhibition opens on April 30th and runs until September 3rd 2012, for further information contact the museum on 01978 297460