For the first time in the history of the Army Cadet Force a National ACF Museum is being created at Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The ACF Museum is being created as a project in conjunction with ACCTA, Regional Command along with Col (Rtd) Mark Knight MBE DL and CSgt Tim Scargill, Sussex ACF.

The museum will bring together memorabilia from the start of the ACF in 1859, Octavia Hill’s involvement from 1889 in the formation of the ACF, right up to 2023.

The original idea of a static ACF museum at Octavia Hills Birthplace House was inspired and created by CSgt Scargill (then of Surrey ACF) when a commemorative plaque was unveiled in the museum gardens by the Mayor Of Wisbech and then Surrey Commandant Col John White.

After much effort collecting artifacts, CSgt Scargill was joined by Col(Rtd) Mark Knight DL of Cambridgeshire ACF. Together they pushed the project forward and are now at the point of opening the museum to the public. Virtual tours and website downloads are also planned, subject to securing funding.

However, they now have the major task of encouraging ACF members past and present to donate or loan exhibits to go on display at the museum. They have launched an urgent appeal via the Cadet Journal and have asked Cadet Direct to publicise the appeal.

ACF Counties are encouraged to start the ball rolling by sending their County TRF and cap badges to the museum at this address:

Octavia Hill Birthplace House
ACF Museum
7 South Brink
Wisbech
Cambridgeshire
PE13 1JW

For further information please email: acfmuseum@gmail.com

Your help in maintaining Octavia’s legacy through this Museum Project is urgently needed.