Explore our 150 year history: from founding to today

We have always been quick to act when needed and simple acts of kindness are threaded throughout our history.

Black and white portrait of Henry Dunant

The beginning of the Red Cross

Our history starts with Swiss businessman Henry Dunant’s compassion for people fighting on both sides of a war.

Find out about the creation of the Red Cross
Red Cross emblem on flag historical item

Museum and archives

Information about our collections, which contain a fascinating portrait of our humanitarian work.

Find out about our collections
Historic painting depicts Edward Jenner administering a vaccine on a child.

Vaccination: a history of saving lives

From smallpox to Covid-19, we've been supporting global vaccination programmes since they started in 1888.

View our online exhibition
A boat piece from the museum of kindness collection.

Museum of kindness: 150 years of the British Red Cross

Showcasing stories of people who have helped shape our history, now and from across the years.

Book to visit our exhibition
First World War Volunteers

The First World War

Browse photos and stories and search for your family's personnel cards to discover what 90,000 Red Cross volunteers did during the war.

Search our records
Black and white photograph showing volunteers during the second world war.

The Second World War

We worked at home and abroad to help the sick and wounded, prisoners of war and civilians needing relief.

Read about our work during the Second World War
Black and white photo of Red Cross in World War One in desert campaign

Collections catalogue

Explore our museum and open archive collections on our online database.

Search the database
A black and white photograph of smiling Queen Elizabeth II visiting an injured male service user.

The stories behind our fascinating history

From hero dogs and Christmas parties, to the royal family and landmines, our stories paint a vivid picture of the past.

Read our stories