ABOUT

AMOT

AMOT exists to represent, support and promote the Regimental and Corps museums of the British Army. Founded in 1954 by Colonel Robert Ogilby DSO, DL, our network is made up of over 140 Army museums and collections.

Whether you want to visit an Army museum, research family history or find advice on how to care for military objects, we are here to help.

As a member of AMOT, museums are able to access funding, training and events. We provide specialist advice on governance, collections, audience and research. We represent Army museums to the wider heritage sector as well as organisations such as the Ministry of Defence and Charity Commission.

We help with the long-term support and care of the rich history represented within the many Army museums across the UK.

Message from the Chairman

As the festive season moves into full swing, I am delighted to wish you all a ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’ as I once again join AMOT as the Chair of Trustees for the Army Museums Ogilby Trust. As I return to AMOT, I find myself reflecting on the incredible work AMOT and all those in our network have undertaken over the years, and the unique opportunity for renewal that lies ahead in 2024 and beyond. Our commitment to the cause of preserving and explaining the extraordinary collections under our charge has always been the driving force behind our combined efforts, and we look forward to renewing our dedication to supporting a heritage that enlightens and informs our future. 

As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the profound importance of encouraging wider engagement in the rich history of our military heritage. The artifacts and stories within our museums serve as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women, of the lives richly lived and experienced; we want to ensure that these important narratives endure for many generations to come. 

I would like to thank all those who have worked to steer AMOT through some challenging times this year. After some soul searching and hard work, AMOT has been developing its new strategy to continue the grant making, advice and advocacy which I know has been welcomed for so many years.   I look forward to sharing this evolving plan with you as we reignite our ventures in the New Year.  

As 2024 approaches, I am filled with optimism for the continued growth of AMOT and I am confident that, together, we will further our mission to safeguard and cherish the vital legacy of our military history. In our newsletters, and at our Conference, I look forward to sharing with you the many ways in which we can support our network.  

May this Christmas not only be a time of joy, reflection, and gratitude, but also a chance to look forward to the exciting year to come. On behalf of the AMOT Trustees and staff, I extend my warmest wishes to you all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

AMOT Support Team

AMOT works with a number of consultants on a range of projects with expertise in areas such as governance, collections care and management, military history, audience development, fundraising and income diversification.

We often send our team out to museums within our network to help provide support in a range of areas.

Our team is always changing and growing to make sure that we have the specialist knowledge needed to respond to the requirements of the network.

OUR
HISTORY

The Early Days

At the first meeting of the Army Museums Ogilby Trust held on 30 September 1954, the Chairman, Colonel Robert J L Ogilby DSO DL TD, stated “as the founder of the Trust he desires to put on record that he believed whole heartedly that the esprit de corps is the backbone of every regiment, whether Horse, Foot or any other Military Unit, and it is his wish to be a friend to all regiments alike, and to assist them in their various efforts to preserve their records in the widest possible meaning of the term.”

In early 1955, soon after the establishment of the Trust, Colonel Ogilby received a letter from the Royal Household. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother had wanted to covey her ‘interest and satisfaction’ for the work of the Trust and the benefits which it would bring to those who “are conscious of the value of continuity in the history of the regiments of the British Army”. Even in its early days, it was clear to see the important role which the Trust would play in preserving and encouraging the military heritage of the Army and in sharing the stories and experiences of those men and women who served.

The Trust was involved in a number of important decisions and developments. As early as 1954, Trustees decided to support the establishment of a National Army Museum in London, a vision which was achieved in 1960 and to which some of the personal collection of Colonel Ogilby was donated.

A sub-committee was formed under General Sir Gerald Templer GCM GCMG KBE DSO to oversee the purchasing and contribution of funds for new acquisitions. The earliest acquisition is recorded as the Dalhousie papers which went on to be donated to the Queen’s Regiment. The first grant awarded for the purchase of items is recorded as being for an oil painting for the Royal Artillery collection in December 1954.

In its early days, the Trust supported original research on military history, awarding an annual prize of £25 for the best submission, often from Cadets who were training at Sandhurst Military Academy.

More Recently

From 1985, the Trust began to host an annual conference. The early conferences saw attendance of over 200 people, mostly former and serving soldiers who were responsible for the care and management of the Regimental collections. As times changed, museum professionals and non-military individuals began to attend, bringing in different knowledge and skills. The annual conference continues to this day. 

From the early 1990s, the Trust moved to a grant giving organisation. AMOT introduced an annual grants programme to which its members could apply for a range of projects, from the development of exhibitions, the publication of books, or the creation of educational resources for the public. The grants programme continues to be a core role of the Trust, awarding thousands of pounds of the years to a range of museums within the network to help support and strengthen them.

In 2017 the Trust began its largest project to date, the creation of an online platform which holds the First World War archives of the Regimental and Corps museums within the network. With support from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the award of £5 million from the LIBOR fund, AMOT created The Ogilby Muster (TOM). With over 100 participating collections, TOM contains over 2 million items ranging from letters, diaries, photographs, reports and official documents dating between 1900 – 1929. Including never before seen material, TOM is fully accessible to the public and is a significant resource for those interested in the military and social history of the period. 

AMOT continues to adapt and develop while still remaining true to the wishes of our founder, Colonel Ogilby. We continue to represent, support and promote the Regimental and Corps museums within our network, protecting the rich history which is held within their collections. A history not only of the British Army, but of the individual men and women who served. 

OUR
TRUSTEES

Chair

Lieutenant General Sir Philip Trousdell KBE CB

Trustees

Vice-Patron

The Rt Hon The Lord Soames of Fletching

Registered Charity: 1195441