In the afternoon of Saturday 13 April, the REME Museum unveiled a very exciting new display in our Remembrance Gallery. The main exhibit is the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 Adam ‘Dusty’ Miller CGC, the highest gallantry honour awarded to any REME soldier and the only one of its kind.

The display also contains Miller’s campaign and service medals, and photographs and documents relating to the CGC, including the award citation. Thanks to the number of documents received in the acquisition, we will be occasionally rotating the ones on display so that visitors are able to see new documents when they visit again in the future.

New interpretation was designed by our Collections team to proudly tell the story of how Miller earned the medal. The text panel also depicts the moment the medal was formally handed over to the Museum’s care. The new display sits alongside an existing painting in the Remembrance Gallery - Corporal Adam Miller, Conspicuous Gallantry Cross by David Cobley, 2010. This is one of four gallantry award paintings; this one specifically depicts the actions that Corporal Miller took in Basra, Iraq in 2007, for which he was awarded the CGC.

The display was covered in place, ready to be unveiled officially to our wonderful attendees.

Attending the opening event were Adam Miller’s family, senior ranks of the Corps of REME, staff from the REME Charity and other individuals who helped make possible this important acquisition. Members of the public were also encouraged to attend and witness the unveiling.

We were delighted to have Colonel Jason Phillips ADC (Colonel REME) open the proceedings of the afternoon. He spoke of how important this acquisition is for not only the Museum, with words written by the Chair of the REME Charity Trustees, Major General Stephen Michael Andrews CBE to Adam Miller:

“[The medals] will serve as a focal point to present this unique aspect of heritage of the REME, to its members and to the general public here in the Museum.”

The display case was unveiled by Mr Adam Miller himself, finally revealing that the medal is now home at the REME Museum, to be cared for in perpetuity.

The display is now ready to be viewed by the public during our regular opening hours.

We take this opportunity to acknowledge our financial supporters. We have been able to acquire and display these incredibly important items with thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players. The Heritage Fund is the largest dedicated funder of the UK's heritage, passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people's lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. Their support has allowed the museum to not only purchase the medal set, but also made possible the introduction of a new educational programme, based around the concept of Citizenship, which will use the medal as an inspirational starting point for discussions around bravery, duty and responsibility.

This was alongside generous support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, a government fund that helps regional museums, record offices and specialist libraries in England and Wales to acquire objects relating to the arts, literature and history.

Visit now to see this new display.

Listen to Adam Miller explaining his role in the action on BBC Sounds or watch the moment of the unveiling and discover Adam's story on our YouTube channel.