Cornwall’s Regimental Museum in Bodmin usually tells the stories of soldiers from past times – but from March 17 to July 12 this year, the I am a Rifleman exhibition will tell the story of Britain’s largest modern infantry regiment, The Rifles.

The exhibition provides a glimpse into the experiences of the modern soldier using individual stories, images and mementoes.

It also includes fun activities for children, including military dressing up and a real Army quad bike.

The phrase ‘I am a Rifleman’ is used uniquely by The Rifles, and means that the soldier is a member of this Regiment alone. The regiment is the modern successor to the old county regiment, the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

The twelve individual stories told in the exhibition feature Riflemen from different ranks and backgrounds, ranging from medal recipients to injured soldiers.

Highlights of the exhibition include a watch from an incident with a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross recipient, the body armour of a Military Cross recipient and the personal photographs from an injured Rifleman on his road to recovery.

Museum Director Mary Godwin said: ‘We’re really pleased to be able to show our visitors what it’s like to be a modern soldier of today alongside our historic displays of guns, medals and uniforms covering 300 years.’

The exhibition is on tour from The Rifles Museum which is based at the Regimental Headquarters in Winchester. Cornwall’s Regimental Museum is the first venue in a UK tour which runs until December 2019.

Pictured, Rifleman James McKie from the 3 Rifles Recce Platoon, sporting the plasters on his face from a grenade which he picked up and threw back at the Taliban earlier while under siege.