Lord Ashcroft has announced the relocation of his world-renowned collection of Victoria Crosses and George Crosses to the National Army Museum, following the controversial closure of his dedicated gallery at the Imperial War Museum. This move marks a significant shift in the display of military honours, with Ashcroft expressing gratitude towards the National Army Museum for upholding traditional values of bravery and sacrifice.
The End of an Era at the Imperial War Museum
After 15 years on display, the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum was shut down at the end of September last year. This gallery, which Ashcroft funded with a £5 million investment in 2010, housed 245 Victoria Crosses and a smaller number of George Crosses—the largest such collection globally. The closure came as a surprise to Ashcroft, who learned of the decision indirectly through an intermediary rather than from the museum itself.
New Priorities and LGBTQ+ Focus
The Imperial War Museum has shifted its focus towards highlighting LGBTQ+ history, launching a virtual tour titled 'Exploring LGBTQ+ Stories in Times of Conflict' late last year. This project commemorates the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on gay people serving in the Armed Forces and features exhibitions on figures like Enid Mary Barraud, a bisexual land girl who sometimes dressed as a man. While Ashcroft acknowledges these stories are interesting, he argues that emphasizing contributions based on sexual orientation risks patronising their memory and detracts from tales of raw gallantry.
Ashcroft criticizes the museum's new direction, suggesting it has grown tired of showcasing Armed Forces personnel whose extreme valour doesn't align with contemporary trends in identity narratives. He fears the museum's very name may soon be questioned as offensive, reflecting a broader cultural shift under its current leadership.
Trustee Appointments and Leadership Concerns
Last year, Sir Keir Starmer appointed three new trustees to the Imperial War Museum, with terms extending to 2029. None have a military background; one, Professor Dame Janet Beer, was honoured for services to higher education and equality and diversity. Ashcroft advocates for ex-military personnel to lead future trustee appointments, rather than government figures, to ensure the museum remains true to its core mission of studying modern war and wartime experience.
A New Home for the Medal Collection
With the collection now stored in vaults since September, Ashcroft has changed plans to gift it to the Imperial War Museum upon his death. Instead, the National Army Museum, located a mile and a half up the Thames, will display the full collection within two years. From July onwards, pop-up exhibitions will showcase a selection, including previously unexhibited medals like those awarded to Lieutenant Commander Charles Cowley, known as the 'Pirate of Basra', for bravery in World War I.
Ashcroft looks forward to a long association with Justin Maciejewski, Director of the National Army Museum, praising the institution for cherishing values such as duty and sacrifice. He cites Winston Churchill's words, 'Without courage all other virtues lose their meaning', to underscore the importance of gallantry in inspiring museum audiences.
Reactions and Future Implications
The closure of the Lord Ashcroft Gallery sparked outrage among past visitors and observers, highlighting tensions between traditional military commemorations and evolving museum priorities. At a party for Ashcroft's 80th birthday, Lord Hague humorously remarked, 'Michael is the best friend in the world but the worst enemy. So I’d just like to say “good luck” to the trustees of the Imperial War Museum...', encapsulating the ongoing debate.
Lord Ashcroft, an international businessman, philanthropist, author, and pollster, remains committed to preserving the legacy of military bravery through his collection, now set to find a new audience at the National Army Museum.
