IN PICTURES: Staffordshire Regiment Museum display is window into soldier's life

It is a scene that will strike a chord with any soldier.

But this is not just any young soldier's bedroom, this is the bedroom of Private Gareth Leslie William Bellingham, who was killed in action in 2011. His belongings have been brought together once again to form part of the Bed Space exhibition at Staffordshire Regiment Museum at Lichfield's Whittington Barracks.

An emotional window into Pte Bellingham's life, it shows his kit bag, knife and fork, a personalised St George's flag, magazines and a wooden cross created by his comrades with the words 'Pte Bellingham, Stood Firm, Stuck Hard'. His parents, Les and Kim Bellingham, donated dozens of the items to create the display, which opened last week and is to be a permanent fixture for a number of years.

Jim Massey, the museum director, said: "It is the first time that we have done an exhibition like this in memory of a serving soldier."

Pte Bellingham was from Newcastle Under Lyme. He died aged just 22 while on patrol with the 3rd Battalion Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan four years ago on June 16.

The Staffordshire Regiment Museum is open seven days a week from 10am until 4pm, throughout the year, including the bank holidays.

Entrance costs £4 and £3 for children, students and OAPs are £3 and a family ticket is available for £10. Children under five are admitted free.