Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Museum

An introduction to the DCLI museum containing a record of the exploits of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry 1702-1959

The Bedknobs Guide to the DCLI Museum

This is an introduction to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Museum at The Keep in Bodmin. It is a must-see if you have any interest in military history. You can find out more about the DCLI Museum, including opening times and events by visiting the website listed below.

Website: DCLI Museum
Telephone: 01208 72810
Postcode: PL31 1EG

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You can find out a lot more about the regiment and its history on the

The DCLI Museum

The barracks at The Keep, Lostwithiel Road (a 5-minute walk from Bodmin town centre) was once home to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and is now a military museum. Founded in 1925, the museum houses highly informative exhibits of the various campaigns undertaken throughout the regiments history as well as a collection of demonstrating the change in uniforms throughout the centuries and an armoury containing one of the finest collections of small arms and machine guns in the country.

The following text is displayed on the wall to the right of the Keep's entrance

IN 1859 BECAUSE OF THE AGGRESSIVE FOREIGN
POLICY PURSUED BY NAPOLEON III. BRITAIN
FELT HERSELF UNDER THREAT OF INVASION BY
FRANCE. THIS KEEP WAS BUILT IN THAT YEAR.
ON LAND DONATED BY THE TOWN OF BODMIN.
AS A MILITIA STORES. DESIGNED TO HOLD
STOCKS OF WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT
REQUIRED FOR THE RAPID MOBILIZATION OF
THE ROYAL CORNWALL MILITIA.

IN 1881, AS A RESULT OF A RADICAL
REORGANISATION OF THE BRITISH INFANTRY.
THE DUKE OF CORNWALL'S LIGHT INFANTRY
WAS FORMED FROM AN AMALGAMATION OF
THE 32ND (CORNWALL) LIGHT INFANTRY AND
THE 46TH (SOUTH DEVONSHIRE) REGIMENT OF
FOOT. THIS NEW REGIMENT CONSISTED OF TWO
REGULAR BATTALIONS. A MILITIA BATTALION,
TWO VOLUNTEER BATTALIONS AND A DEPOT.
THE OLD MILITIA KEEP WAS INCORPORATED
INTO A MUCH LARGER DEPOT BARRACKS BUILT
BEHIND IT. FOR THE NEXT 87 YEARS THIS WAS
THE HOME OF THE D.C.L.I.. AND VIRTUALLY
EVERY OFFICER AND SOLDIER PASSED THROUGH
ITS GATES.

The regiment was eventually amalgamated within the 'Light Infantry' which in turn was amalgamated in 'The Rifles' in 2007.

Cornish Garden Breaks at Bedknobs

Complimentary Garden Entrance Tickets

If you have a passion for plants and gardens, Cornwall has some real gems to lift your spirits and delight the senses.

Stay at Bedknobs for 4 nights or more from now until 31st October and we will refund the cost of the entrance price to any one of your chosen Cornish Gardens. Here are some of our more popular local choices, but you can take your pick of any garden listed here or open to the public in the whole of Cornwall:

Please check the Bedknobs Tariff and Bookings page for full details.

In addition you can visit the The Great Gardens of Cornwall website that have more wonderful pictures of Gardens in Cornwall.