FOR RELEASE TO THE PRESS: 3RD December 2025.
It is with the deepest sadness that the Royal Engineers Museum is announcing the theft and destruction of 1,742 Second World War-era technical drawings and plans. These historically significant materials formed part of a larger archive relating to the design and construction of the Mulberry Harbours, as well as wartime railways and bridging.
The documents had been transferred to a specialist secure contractor for digitisation when the vehicle transporting them was stolen. Based on information received from Police Scotland, we understand that the drawings were still inside the vehicle when it was subsequently destroyed.
The Museum was notified of the incident on 20 November and has since been working closely with Police Scotland to establish the full circumstances. Enquiries remain ongoing, and we urge anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference CR/0489211/25, or to provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. We would also welcome any opportunity—however remote—to recover any of the items thought lost.
Our staff are devastated by this senseless criminal act and its impact on our archive, and we are working now to review where any copies of the original archive may still be stored. The security, preservation, and responsible stewardship of our nationally significant heritage remain of paramount importance to us as a charity and accredited museum and we remain committed to making the Mulberry Harbour archive accessible through our exhibitions, website, and research services, ensuring that the story of Sapper innovation continues to inform and inspire future generations.
Rebecca Nash
Director
Royal Engineers Museum
Full Press release available: here
Full list of items: here
3 December 2025