Uniforms and personal stories of war have gone on display at the Manx Museum’s new military history gallery, ahead of the centenary of Armistice Day.

The ’Mann at War’ exhibition pays tribute to the role that many Manx men, women and children played during conflicts from the 1700s up until today.

It includes a blood-stained uniform believed to have been worn by Captain Quilliam at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Manx National Heritage opened the gallery in Douglas which shares individual stories of the Napoleonic Wars, First and Second World Wars, Cold War, Gulf War and conflict in Afghanistan.

Military historian Professor Eric Grove, who officially opened the exhibition, said: ’Conflict has always influenced the history of the Isle of Man, with the Manx nation playing a vital role in shaping world events through war and strife.

’Through objects and stories, this new gallery explores the experiences of those who have been affected by international conflict over the last 250 years from the ages of sail and empire, through the two world wars and into modern times.’

Designed by an architect, builders and crafts people from the island, the new gallery is the latest improvement to the Manx Museum. It has replaced an area of the museum that was once dedicated to social history which was last redisplayed in the early 1990s.

Malcolm Kelly, deputy chairman of the Manx Museum and National Trust, said: ’The new gallery is one of the most important projects to be undertaken at the Manx Museum in recent times and has been many years in the making. More than 200 items have been painstakingly researched, selected and cleaned by our dedicated team at the Manx Museum and we are incredibly proud of the results.

’Through research in preparation for this gallery we have learned that Captain Quilliam’s naval uniform is not only of local importance but is of international significance.

’Bloodstains and battle damage revealed during conservation treatment offer support to the long-held assertion that this is in fact the uniform that Quilliam wore aboard HMS Victory at Trafalgar in 1805.

’It is now looking increasingly likely that we have in the Manx Museum one of only a handful of such uniforms.

’Likewise, study of Caesar Bacon’s uniform has revealed that it is the oldest Napoleonic light cavalry uniform known to exist in the British Isles.

’Again, there is mounting evidence to support the belief that it was actually worn on the battlefield at Waterloo.

’Further research in preparation for the gallery has also brought to light his Waterloo medal, still with his family after 200 years, and I am delighted to tell you that it is now on display with his uniform, one of only two such combinations in the British Isles.’

The new gallery was made possible by funding from the Isle of Man Government’s capital programme and through the support of the Friends of MNH.

Information about the individuals recorded on the nation’s war memorials is freely available by the MNH through the iMuseum. The trust has published a book about the impact of First World War, set up a major exhibition and co-ordinated educational activities for schools island-wide. It has also helped to fund a new centenary memorial in Arbory, through the Donald Collister programme.

The Manx Museum and National Trust has thanked those who have donated personal items and other resources to this project.

MNH will host two other events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.

On November 18, a one act play based on the letters of Lt. Cyril Gordon Walker MC during his fight in the First World War called ’The Perfect Gentleman’ will take place.

Free tickets for the play can be booked at https://manxnationalheritage.im/whats-on/ww1-centenary

On November 30, a public lecture by textile conservator, Jaqueline Hyman, who will speak on ’Napoleonic Uniforms - Conserving the Manx Museum Collection’ will be held. Tickets cost £10 .