Maidstone Museum Chronicles Historical Evolution of Royal West Kent Regiment Through Cap Badges

The Maidstone Museum presents historical information about the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, detailing its post-World War II transformations. After 1945, the regiment's structure was reduced, with its second battalion disbanded in 1948. In 1961, it merged with The Buffs to form the Queen's Own Buffs, leading to the closure of the Maidstone depot. The regimental museum relocated to Maidstone Museum in 1960 and was fully taken over by Maidstone Borough Council in 2007. Further amalgamations occurred in 1966, forming The Queen's Regiment, and in 1995, creating The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, whose cap badge incorporates symbols from predecessor units. The display includes unpolished cap badges for conservation purposes.