Help the new Royal Marines Museum share the stories of its historic collections by joining with other supporters to Adopt an Object.

From 2019 to the opening of the new museum, we will offer the opportunity to put your name to some of the most interesting, informative and educational items in our collection.

Here is a Pistol with a flint lock and a box lock, pocket type, 48 bore. It was used by Captain Charles William Adair, Royal Marines, on board HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October 1805.

Captain C. W. Adair, killed on board HMS Victory at Trafalgar, obtained his commission at the early age of six, on 31st December 1782 became 1st Lieut.

14th November 1793, was Adjutant of a battalion of 300 Marines landed at the Cape of Good Hope in August 1795, and became Captain-Lieutenant 3rd October, 1800.

In pictures of the ship at the moment when Nelson was struck, Captain Adair's body is shown lying near the Admiral's feet, and it is recorded that almost the last words the latter said before being hit were, 'There goes poor Adair'. Family tradition says that Mr. Benjamin Adair of Loughanmore, co. Antrim, in recognition of having raised a troop of horse to serve against King James II at the battle of the Boyne obtained a commission in the Marines in 1755 for his grandson Benjamin who died at sea in 1794 when a brevet lieut-colonel. The latter had two sons in the Corps, the Charles William killed at Trafalgar, and Thomas Benjamin, who, after an exceptionally large amount ,of active service, commanded the Plymouth Division. Benjamin's two grandsons, Charles William and Henry, have commanded the Portsmouth Division and the R.M. Artillery respectively, and his great grandson is now Commandant of the Plymouth Division.

The museum's collections are the living memorial to those who have served, charting battles and operations and the stories which bring them to life. The new museum will enable us to tell those stories more effectively and create a deeper understanding of the vital contribution of the Royal Marines to our society.

The collections depict the history of the Corps from 1664 to the present day through a unique collection of artefacts, pictures and documents. One of the most significant parts of the collection is the medal collection consisting of over 8,000 items including gallantry, campaign and foreign awards including an outstanding collection of Victoria Crosses.

There is no minimum donation but you can become a Senior Adopter of an object for £500. Senior Adopters will be invited to a special event ahead of the opening of the new museum. Recognition will be made of all donations over £120 within the new museum when it opens.

The new Royal Marines Museum, at the very heart of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, will place the 354-year history of the Royal Marines firmly within the story of the Royal Navy. For the first time the story of the Royal Marines a national story, but also a story with impact across the globe will be told in a building appropriate to its scale.

After clicking 'Donate', please enter the amount before continuing. Once you have made payment there will be an option to tick a box I'm happy to be contacted by NMRN to hear more about the impact of my donation, its appeals, events and other ways to donate, by email and post. If you do not click to accept further contact or send us your contact details we will be unable to send you your adopter acknowledgement. Please be assured that we will not send you further marketing materials unrelated to your adoption and you can opt out at any time.

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of adopting an object please e-mail fundraising@nmrn.org.uk.

All anonymous adopters must contact fundraising@nmrn.org.uk to receive their adoption pack as your contact details are not forwarded to us.

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