More About The New Building

Why a new building?

Until now, Oxfordshire, unlike most counties, has not had a military museum easily accessible to the public. For about 70 years the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry museum was in a barracks in Oxford, but access was very difficult.

It was also becoming increasingly difficult to care for the collections, so in 2000 the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust was established to find a permanent home for the archives and collections.

What is the scope?

The main core is the collections, both militaria and archives, of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars.

It became apparent that there is much more to the history of Oxfordshire people and their part in the nation's conflicts, so these are being covered as well.

The Trust will display a Roman Centurion's tombstone - that is how far back we will go. Because the modern day regiment The Rifles, recently active in Iraqu and Afghanistan, is the direct descendant of the County Regiment, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, we will on occasions have displays about today's warfare.

There will be information about military flying in the county, covering Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force, United States Airforce, and any other tales we come across.

There were very important military hospitals and medical units in the county; there were, and are, vital logistic units in Oxfordshire. All these, and many others, will in due course be embraced by the Soldiers of Oxfordshire project.

With whom?

The Trust is working with the Oxfordshire County Council Museums Service. The County Council has offered part of the site within the walls of the County Museum at Woodstock, should SOFO be able to find the money to build and run a museum.

When?

It's happening now. Planning permission was granted on 13th September 2010, the site cleared and foundations started in September 2011 and we expect to start construction proper in early summer 2012.

What will it cost?

The building and fitting it out will cost in the region of £3.5million. Running the museum will cost...well, a lot, rather depending on how many permanent staff we employ.

At Autumn 2009 we have had donations amounting to about £2million. Furthermore, we have arrangements in place that allow us to get on with building whilst we raise the remainder of the money. We will in the future, though, need continually to seek funds from many sources including public donations, grants and the shop we are planning.

The Trust is funded by gifts, donations and grants, and to a small extent by our online shop - your generosity will be very welcome.

What help do you need?

We look forward to welcoming visitors!

In October 2011, we have over 30 volunteers in our Volunteer Club and will need many more. Some can help with research; some with administration and others with the interface with the public.