Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
REME Museum
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Visit
    • Plan a Visit
    • Learning
    • Crown's Cafe
    • Virtual Tour
  • What's On
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Family Fun
    • News
  • About
    • Collections
    • History
    • Research
    • Gallery
      • View Gallery
      • Submit a photo
    • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Venue Hire
  • Support Us
    • Volunteer
    • Donate an Item
  • Contact
  • Book Tickets
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Donate an Item
  1. About
  2. Collections

Donate an Item

How our collection grows

The Museum's collections can only develop with your generosity.

The vast majority of the 130,000 items that the Museum cares for were donated to us.

Many items are from current and former REME personnel and their families, but we are excited to hear from anyone who may have something of interest.

A presentation piece gifted to Brigadier B D Heelis MBE ADC, acquired by the Museum in 2020. Read more about this donation on our Blog where we regularly feature new artefacts. 2020.44.4.

What we add to our collection

The Museum is keen to collect all types of artefacts related to REME history.

We are interested in everything from medals to manuals, film to fuel cans, so long as it relates to the Corps or someone who served with them.

We love items that shed light on REME's early years in World War Two, but we are also very interested in recording recent operations and activities.

How to make a donation

If you have items you would like to donate, Contact us by email with the following information:

  • Your name and contact details
  • A description or list of the items you would like to donate
  • Information about the items that helps us understand its importance, e.g. family stories
  • Details of how you came to own the items
  • Photographs or scans, if possible

We assess all potential donations at quarterly meetings of our Acquisitions Panel. All potential donations are discussed with reference to our Collections Development Policy (available to view on request).

Successful donors will be contacted to arrange delivery and completion of paperwork for our records. Once acquired, items become part of our permanent collection.

If your donation is successful and you are asked to send items to the Museum, please see our top tips for packing your items to ensure they get to us safe and secure.

Please do not send or deliver potential donations directly to the Museum, unless asked to do so. Staff are not available to take receipt of items without prior notice. Unsolicited postal donations are returned to senders. If we cannot return items they will be held for six months and may be disposed if not claimed.

Please be aware that the REME Museum is unable to cover the return postage of items deposited at the Museum that are unsolicited donations, and/or declined by our Acquisitions Panel. The donor will be notified if the items are not accepted by the Museum, and it will be their responsibility to arrange for the material’s return. Items not claimed within four months may be subject to disposal as outlined on the object entry form provided to the donor.

Before you get in touch

Please be aware that:

  • We can rarely accept hazardous material, e.g. firearms, items that contain asbestos and those with radioactive components
  • Not all items donated to the Museum can be displayed
  • Proposed long-term loans are rarely accepted
  • Decisions about what is accepted to the collection can sometimes take up to three months, due to quarterly scheduling of Acquisitions Panel meetings

Published: 6th May, 2019

Updated: 25th May, 2022

Author: Melissa Guest

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Help to improve our War Grave Records

    Help to improve our War Grave Records

    Marking the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's War Graves Week by asking for photographs of REME graves

  • Collections in Focus: Home Comforts

    Collections in Focus: Home Comforts

    Recent arrivals to the Museum's collection are centre stage in our new display

  • May Half Term Activities

    May Half Term Activities

    Get stuck into Platinum Jubilee-related arts and crafts activities

  • Greening the Museum: Ready, Set, Grow!

    Greening the Museum: Ready, Set, Grow!

    The first steps in our journey to be more 'green'

Related

  • Subscribe to our Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for the latest updates, news and events

  • Getting Here

    Getting Here

    Map out your journey to Lyneham by car or public transport

  • Archives

    Archives

    The most complete record of REME history anywhere in the world

  • Objects

    Objects

    Explore relics and memorabilia, from tanks to toothbrushes

  • Research

    Research

    Want to find out more about REME history? We can help

  • The Craftsman Magazine

    The Craftsman Magazine

    Keep up to date with REME news and find out how to subscribe

  • Military Aviation Heritage Networks

    Military Aviation Heritage Networks

    Take a look at the South West aviation heritage trail

Most read

  • Opening Times

    Opening Times

    Plan your visit to the Museum down to the minute

  • Admissions

    Admissions

    Ticket prices, concessionary discounts and annual passes

  • Virtual Tour

    Virtual Tour

    Get a sneak preview of our modern Museum before you visit us

  • Family Fun

    Family Fun

    Trails, worksheets and workshops to keep kids busy

  • Getting Here

    Getting Here

    Map out your journey to Lyneham by car or public transport

  • Crown's Café

    Crown's Café

    Make time for a quick coffee or leisurely lunch at our onsite café

  • Research

    Research

    Want to find out more about REME history? We can help

  • Temporary Exhibitions

    Temporary Exhibitions

    Explore rarely seen artefacts and exciting stories through our temporary displays

  • Gift Shop

    Gift Shop

    Remember your visit with a souvenir

  • The Craftsman Magazine

    The Craftsman Magazine

    Keep up to date with REME news and find out how to subscribe

Tag cloud

archives behindthescenes cafe craftsman exhibitions falklands gnomes greeningthemuseum halfterm history objects photograph posters REME STAFF BAND remehistory Trade training in the REME
Virtual Tour

Virtual Tour

Get a sneak preview of our modern Museum before you visit us Read more

Published: 13th November, 2019

Updated: 19th January, 2022

Author: Laura Stewart

  • TripAdvisor

Latest tweet

Find us

REME Museum
Calne Road
Lyneham
Chippenham
SN15 4XX

01249 894869
[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Website Accessibility
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy


green lettering in circle says We're Good to Go and visit england around a green tick  accredited museum logo  red and white rose on blue rectangle, reads visit england and quality assured visitor attraction  red and white rose on white and red banner, reads visit england hidden gem 2020-21   white owl outline, reads tripadvisor travellers choice

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Registered charity, number 272740.