WHO knew that the Jamaican Miliary Museum and Library would be such a delight? Smartly tucked away beside a charming garden at Up Park Camp, this quaint little museum offers a quirky respite from the buzz of the city.

What to see? Here are our top five picks:

1. Second West India Regiment Centenary Regimental Silver Centrepiece

This Centenary Regimental Silver Centrepiece was commisssioned in 1895 for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Second West India Regiment in 1895. The piece boasts two British soldiers standing and their West Indian and West African counterparts kneeling along the sides with the battle honours of the regiment: Ashanti, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

2. The Morant Bay Rebellion Trophy, 1865

The inscription reads: Presented by Government of Jamaica To the Officers HMs. 1st West Indian Regiment for the invaluable and efficient services rendered by that regiment during the Rebellion in St Thomas of last October 1865.

A reminder of the unquestioned loyalty of the West India Regiment to the British Crown.

3. Third Battalion West India Regiment Keyholder

In 1897, authorisation was given in London to raise a third battalion of the West India Regiment to provide for the garrison at St Helena. Soon after, a small detachment of the Battalion was sent on engagement to Sierra Leone in the 1898 Hut Tax War, and later to Gambia in 1901. In 1902, they were sent to Bermuda. By 1904, the Third Battalion was disbanded. The piece was in use for many years at Liguanea Club, and was recently donated to the museum.

4. Sixth West India Regiment Union Colour

The Sixth West India Regiment was raised in 1795 as Whitelocke’s Foot and recruited in Jamaica and British Honduras. Between 1817-18 the Regiment was disbanded and the soldiers were allowed to settle on crown lands in Trinidad. This Union Colour was discovered in 2006 in a storeroom at Up Park Camp.

5. Drum Major Staff Trophy

Commissioned to commemorate the victories and honours received by the First West India Regiment, it is a remembrance piece showcasing the battle prize of a drum major’s staff attained during battle in 1808 along with the Battle of Honour title “WEST AFRICA 1887” awarded to the West India Regiment during their expeditions on the continent.

The Military Museum and Library is located to the left of Çotton Tree Gate at Up Park Camp and is open to the public, Wednesdays through Sundays 10:00 am-4:00 pm. (Photos: Cpl Darren Beckles)