Collections & Services
The Museum has developed a collection of about 500 items relating to the 600 years of Hong Kong's coastal defence and military history. It comprises cannons, cannon balls, guns, military uniforms, head gears, medals, military vehicles and equipment. Photographs, models, and historical documents like certificates, letters, diaries, log books, payrolls, prisoner-of-war artefacts, news cuttings, magazines, etc. on the subject were also acquired.

Cannon barrel casted in 1650 of the Southern Ming dynasty. It was used to resist the southward invasion of the Qing troops.

Cannon barrel casted in 1650 of the Southern Ming dynasty. It was used to resist the southward invasion of the Qing troops.

Letter dated 23 November 1845 by Lieutenant T. E. Collinson of the Royal Engineers to his family, telling about his life and work in Hong Kong; it includes a sketch of his living room.

Letter dated 23 November 1845 by Lieutenant T. E. Collinson of the Royal Engineers to his family, telling about his life and work in Hong Kong; it includes a sketch of his living room.

British 10-inch breech-loading gun, the 1880s. This gun was originally mounted on the Upper Belcher's Battery in the Western District to guard the Western approach to Victoria Harbour. It was abandoned in the 1930s. Nothing remained except the gun which was displayed in its original position until 1997 when it was removed to the Museum for display.

British 10-inch breech-loading gun, the 1880s. This gun was originally mounted on the Upper Belcher's Battery in the Western District to guard the Western approach to Victoria Harbour. It was abandoned in the 1930s. Nothing remained except the gun which was displayed in its original position until 1997 when it was removed to the Museum for display.

Monument of the Royal Artillery, originally erected in the Hong Kong Cemetery, in commemoration of the members who died in Hong Kong between 1880 and 1890.

Monument of the Royal Artillery, originally erected in the Hong Kong Cemetery, in commemoration of the members who died in Hong Kong between 1880 and 1890.

Royal Engineers Captain's full dress, circa 1902.

Royal Engineers Captain's full dress, circa 1902.

Air-raid siren used in Hong Kong in December 1941

Air-raid siren used in Hong Kong in December 1941

Trench periscope used by the Japanese army in the Second World War

Trench periscope used by the Japanese army in the Second World War

Japanese 6.5mm Type 11 light machine gun used in the Second World War

Japanese 6.5mm Type 11 light machine gun used in the Second World War

British 7.62mm L1A1 self-loading rifle, 1954 – 1990s.

British 7.62mm L1A1 self-loading rifle, 1954 – 1990s.

Water bottle used by the British army during the Second World War

Water bottle used by the British army during the Second World War

Jacket worn by a member of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column during the Japanese occupation

Jacket worn by a member of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column during the Japanese occupation

Programme leaflet of a drama performance held in Stanley Internment Camp, 15 July 1942.

Programme leaflet of a drama performance held in Stanley Internment Camp, 15 July 1942.

Union Jack raised at the Peak by the British army right after the Japanese Emperor Hirohito had announced unconditional surrender on 15 August 1945

Union Jack raised at the Peak by the British army right after the Japanese Emperor Hirohito had announced unconditional surrender on 15 August 1945

Medal group of Lieutenant-Colonel F. D. Fields, Commander of the 5th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Medal group of Lieutenant-Colonel F. D. Fields, Commander of the 5th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

British Comet Mark I Tank
The Comet was the last medium tank produced for the British Army during the Second World War. It appeared in combat in early 1945.

British Comet Mark I Tank
The Comet was the last medium tank produced for the British Army during the Second World War. It appeared in combat in early 1945.

Drum used by the Hong Kong Volunteers Defence Corps after the Second World War

Drum used by the Hong Kong Volunteers Defence Corps after the Second World War

Gate emblem of HMS Tamar originally mounted on the entrance gate to HMS Tamar at the Prince of Wales Barracks in Central, Headquarters of the British Forces, Hong Kong, inscribed with the year of 1878 in which HMS Tamar first arrived in Hong Kong.

Gate emblem of HMS Tamar originally mounted on the entrance gate to HMS Tamar at the Prince of Wales Barracks in Central, Headquarters of the British Forces, Hong Kong, inscribed with the year of 1878 in which HMS Tamar first arrived in Hong Kong.

A set of Gurkha kukri with scabbard, circa 1980s.

A set of Gurkha kukri with scabbard, circa 1980s.

Dragon Journal 1992 published by the Hong Kong Military Service Corps

Dragon Journal 1992 published by the Hong Kong Military Service Corps

Navy flag of the People's Liberation Army

Navy flag of the People's Liberation Army