The Museum is located in 'The Stannard Room' on the first floor (the floor above the ground floor, access only via a flight of stairs) and includes the 'slops' shop; and 'The Europa Room' (on the ground floor); both are in some of the few remaining original buildings of HMS Europa in Sparrow's Nest, Lowestoft.
Lining the walls of the Europa Room are the 17 boards listing the 850 or thereabouts honours won by members of the RNPS during WW2, including a VC, along with a list of over 200 'Mentioned in Despatches'.
The VC was awarded to an ex-Merchant Navy officer, Lieut. Richard Stannard, of the Hull trawler Arab, for his continuous gallantry 28th April to 2nd May in Namsos Harbour during the Narvik campaign, gazetted on August 16th, 1940, and included fighting a fire in an ammunition dump, setting up an armed camp and resisting 31 bombing attacks on Arab, and whilst leaving the fjord shooting down a German bomber. His junior officer, Sub-Lieut. E. T. Lees, R.N.V.R., was awarded the DSO and three other members of his crew received decorations. There is also a record of the CBE awarded to Commodore Daniel de Pass for his services at the 'Nest' during WW2.
In addition to a mock-up of a wheelhouse there are numerous small exhibits including photographs and models of many of the ships of RNPS and much war memorablilia such as shields, uniforms, flags and personal possessions. The photographs illustrate many of the members of RNPS at their various duties, in many parts of the world and at various locations in Lowestoft. Many include unidentified members and so if you visit and can recognise anyone we have not identified please let us know.
Additional material not able to be displayed is also available for research purposes and there is a small reference library.
Admission to the Museum is free and it is generally open throughout the year on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings until noon but......
......Museum opening is subject to the availability of volunteers to see you in. As with all volunteer run enterprises the planned opening times cannot always be relied on, so if you are travelling a long distance to visit it will be worthwhile checking in advance whether or not the museum will be open and if possible arranging an appointment.
Admission to the Museum is free but donations to assist in its maintenance will always be gratefully received.