Soldiery at the National Army Museum — Preserving British Military History Through Portraiture

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Sgt Morris 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment (Rory Lewis' 'Soldiery' Project Joins the Permanent Collection at the National Army Museum in London) Military Portrait Photographer Los Angeles, London, New York.

Sgt Morris 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment (Rory Lewis' 'Soldiery' Project Joins the Permanent Collection at the National Army Museum in London) Military Portrait Photographer Los Angeles, London, New York.

The Soldiery project by Rory Lewis now forms part of the permanent collection of the National Army Museum in London. This landmark acquisition underscores the project’s historical, cultural, and educational importance, and stands at the heart of the mission of the Rory Lewis Non-Profit: to preserve military heritage through museum-grade portraiture for future generations.

A Contemporary Record of the British Army

Soldiery is a rigorous visual documentation of the modern British Army, created with profound respect for its traditions and lived realities. Drawing on the language of historic military portraiture, the project captures the contemporary identity of soldiers and officers serving in the early twenty-first century—balancing formality with humanity, and rank with individuality.

The Times Friday 25th August 2023 Rory Lewis' 'Soldiery' Project Joins the Permanent Collection at the National Army Museum in London

Capt Anani-Isaac Royal Lancers (Rory Lewis' 'Soldiery' Project Joins the Permanent Collection at the National Army Museum in London) Military Portrait Photographer Los Angeles, London, New York.

Over two years, Lewis worked in close collaboration with the Army, completing hundreds of formal portrait sittings. Each image records not only a likeness, but also the sitter’s regiment, insignia, and role—forming a lasting archive of service, leadership, and regimental identity.

Nationwide Reach, Global Stories

The project spans 23 geographically and culturally distinct regiments across the United Kingdom. From historic cavalry units to elite infantry formations, each regiment is presented as a living community shaped by shared history and tradition.

Soldiery also reflects the Army’s global character. The portraits include soldiers whose backgrounds span Malawi, Zimbabwe, Canada, Australia, and beyond—highlighting the diversity of those who serve while honouring the heritage they uphold. From the Royal Lancers to the Gurkhas and the Parachute Regiment, the project offers a comprehensive portrait of the British Army today.

The Project
Captain Massey, 1st Battalion The Rifles Portrait Donation to The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum
Captain Massey, 1st Battalion The Rifles Portrait Donation to The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum

I am very pleased to be able to provide The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum with a portrait of Captain Massey, from the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, for inclusion in their newly redeveloped galleries in Salisbury.

Soldiery at the National Army Museum — Preserving British Military History Through Portraiture
Soldiery at the National Army Museum — Preserving British Military History Through Portraiture

The Soldiery project by Rory Lewis now forms part of the permanent collection of the National Army Museum in London. This landmark acquisition underscores the project’s historical, cultural, and educational importance, and stands at the heart of the mission of the Rory Lewis Non-Profit: to preserve military heritage through museum-grade portraiture for future generations.

The Rifles Museum Acquires Portraits of 1st Battalion, The Rifles
The Rifles Museum Acquires Portraits of 1st Battalion, The Rifles

Rory Lewis Non Profit is proud to donate a series of portraits to The Rifles Museum in Winchester. Located within the historic Winchester Military Quarter, the museum offers a compelling insight into the heritage and evolution of the British Army’s largest infantry regiment.

Major General Benjamin Bathurst CBE
Major General Benjamin Bathurst CBE

Our 2019 sitting with Major General Benjamin Bathurst CBE of the Welsh Guards took place at Horse Guards, London, within the historic office once occupied by the Duke of Wellington. Seated behind the very desk that once belonged to the “Iron Duke,” Bathurst joined a long line of leaders who have shaped the ceremonial face of Britain’s Armed Forces.

A Portrait of Duty: H.R.H. The Duke of Kent as Field Marshal
A Portrait of Duty: H.R.H. The Duke of Kent as Field Marshal

In 2018, I had the rare honour of photographing His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent, in a portrait sitting that captured not only royal stature, but a lifetime of military service. Dressed in his ceremonial uniform as Field Marshal, His Royal Highness stood as a living symbol of dedication, discipline, and enduring legacy within the British Armed Forces.

1st Battalion, The Rifles Portrait Sittings
1st Battalion, The Rifles Portrait Sittings

Among the many regiments I photographed, the 1st Battalion, The Rifles stands out for its deep-rooted traditions and enduring character. Little has changed for The Rifles since the Napoleonic Wars—they remain at the forefront of battle, defined by precision, independence, and quiet professionalism. True to their motto, Swift and Bold, they carry no flag; instead, their Battle Honours are worn proudly upon their uniforms.

The Royal Lancers — Portrait Sittings
The Royal Lancers — Portrait Sittings

For nearly a year I’ve been traveling across the United Kingdom and Europe as part of Soldiery — British Army Projects, an ongoing initiative through Rory Lewis Non-Profit to create a contemporary visual archive of the British Army. The aim is simple but vital: to preserve a truthful, dignified record of the men and women who serve today, before uniforms, traditions, and identities inevitably change.

Major General Bob Bruce CBE, DSO – Portrait Sitting
Major General Bob Bruce CBE, DSO – Portrait Sitting

As Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Major General Bruce has dedicated his life to leadership, service, and the embodiment of the Army’s values. This portrait session stands as a testament to his extraordinary contributions and the pride he carries in representing one of Britain’s most historic regiments.

Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE – Portrait Sitting
Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE – Portrait Sitting

Lieutenant General Bashall stands as a towering figure in both stature and reputation. A veteran of the Iraq War, he commanded the 1st Mechanised Brigade in Basra in 2007, leading with courage and distinction. Earlier in his career, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) in Afghanistan, earning recognition as one of the British Army’s most experienced combat commanders. Deeply proud of his service with the Parachute Regiment, his career exemplifies leadership, resilience, and devotion to duty.

1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Regiment
1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Regiment

The 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, based in Tidworth, represents one of the most historically significant infantry lineages in the British Army. Their iconic ceremonial uniforms—rooted in traditions dating back to the Victorian era and the height of the British Empire—carry centuries of regimental identity, inherited from the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Wales.

Living History in Portrait Form

More than an exhibition, Soldiery functions as a historical record. By including senior generals, commanders, and enlisted personnel alike, the series preserves a cross-section of Army life at a pivotal moment in time. The work consciously echoes the legacy of historic military portraiture—particularly the influence of George Dawe—while remaining unmistakably contemporary.

The Soldiery Book

Lieutenant-Colonel J D A GASELEE LG Commanding Offcer (Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment) (Rory Lewis' 'Soldiery' Project Joins the Permanent Collection at the National Army Museum in London) Military Portrait Photographer Los Angeles, London, New York.

Lieutenant General Sir James Everard KCB, CBE (Rory Lewis Photographer) 2016 (Rory Lewis' 'Soldiery' Project Joins the Permanent Collection at the National Army Museum in London) Military Portrait Photographer Los Angeles, London, New York.

Accompanying the project is Soldiery, authored by Rory Lewis, with a foreword by General Sir James Everard. The publication provides deeper insight into the individuals, regiments, and histories represented, extending the project’s educational reach beyond the gallery space.

Public Exhibition and Enduring Legacy

Soldiery was exhibited at the National Army Museum from 27 January to 12 February 2018, marking a defining moment in the project’s public life. Its accession into the Museum’s permanent collection ensures long-term preservation and access for researchers, service families, and the wider public.

Our Non-Profit Mission

Through projects such as Soldiery, the Rory Lewis Non-Profit is committed to:

  • Preserving military history through fine-art portraiture

  • Creating accessible, museum-quality archives of service

  • Honouring diversity, sacrifice, and identity within the armed forces

Conclusion

Soldiery stands as a lasting tribute to the men and women of the British Army—past and present. Its permanent home at the National Army Museum affirms the power of photography to safeguard history, heritage, and the human spirit for generations to come.