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Hougoumont revisited…
Hello – my name
is David Bilcliffe. Following the kind invitation of the
Regimental Recruiting Warrant Officer, WO II (Andy) Johnson, I
hope you will enjoy this article and that it might inspire those
with an interest in living “Coldstream” history to step forward
and join us.
As a regular visitor to ShinyCapstar.com it was a delight to
read Andy Johnson’s editorial on the Regimental Colour and, in
particular, his thoughts on Waterloo…
In response, we decided to send Andy a copy of the photograph
taken of a 2nd Bn
Coldstream Guards
(1815) NCO outside the Chapel at Hougoumont taken on 18th June
2005 during the Service of Remembrance. This service was
undertaken by military history enthusiasts, including many
ex-servicemen, arranged by the European Napoleonic Association.
On the 28th November 2005 you may have seen the History
Channel’s Battlefield Detectives – Waterloo. For the first time
ever, historians re-traced the Battlefield Commanders steps in a
virtual reality replica of the Battle of Waterloo, thanks to
revolutionary 3D field laser-scanning technology.
This was “bought to life” when permission was granted for the
Coldstream Guards (1815) Living History team to camp within
Hougoumont and fire our flintlocks muskets through the gun loops
carved into the walled gardens at Hougoumont by Coldstream
Guards 190 years earlier. Quiet possibly the first time they had
been fired through since 1815… Now that really did make the
hairs stand up on the back of my neck!
Footsteps on historic battlegrounds is one way of finding out
about your heritage, but some would say that to really
understand what it must have been like you have to be there.
But, you need to wear the linen and wool clothing, fit a leather
stock, carry the trotter pack, load, ram rod and fire a period
firelock charged with black powder!
Doing just that at Hougoumont, and marching on the Battlefields
of Waterloo, is just one of the many ways that living history
enables a magic combination; not only is it fun but on
occassions it will dump you firmly in the history that made the
Regiment what it is today – Second to None”.
So how did this start? Over the past ten years significant
public interest has grown in re-enactment, but some
“re-enactments” have been amateur, poorly organised and paid
little attention to detail or historical evidence. As the oldest
Regiment in continuous existence in the British Army, it seemed
only fitting that such an 'Elite' Regiment should be represented
as Living History, distinct from re-enactment.
What makes this group different? Five years ago an ex-army NCO,
John Litchfield, with more than twenty-five years in
“re-enactment” felt that he had had enough of the amateur
flailing of others. Having studied the history of the
Coldstream, John decided to establish a Living History interest
group “Col George Monk’s Regiment of Foote” aimed at achieving
the highest standards for research, exhibition and display. His
original purpose was to portray the regiment at various
important periods of its history, but our current focus is on
the period leading up to and including Waterloo – very
appropriate, given the many 200th anniversaries soon to come.
The group now numbers over 25, a significant number of whom are
serving and ex-service men and women. In the past three years we
have achieved a high degree of competence in the detail of 1807
drill and equipment; bringing the whole team together with one
aim - to be "second to none" when it comes to Living History
exhibitions and musketry displays.
Hard work and attention to detail is starting to pay dividends.
We are now recognised by specialists within English Heritage and
The National Trust as leaders in Living History presentation and
as a valuable resource for Schools, Colleges and Universities. A
major event this year (2006) will be a week long “The Art of
Living History” at Sutton Valence School in Kent engaging over
250 students from the School, which in itself has a history
going back to 1576.
Whilst professional in our approach, this is still a part-time
hobby activity where we all (officers, soldiers, musicians and
sutlers), work hard to achieve an accurate representation of 6
Company, 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards on campaign in Belgium circa
June 17th 1815. As individuals from various military and
civilian backgrounds, we take this activity seriously and, we
also combine this with a lot of fun!
Adding to the “military members” who undertake display
operations, we also have an excellent team of Sutlers (wives and
girlfriends) - our ladies also embrace the period in detail;
cooking over log fires, hand washing and repairing uniform in
their own 1800s costume. Our sutlers ensure that a high quality
of food, refreshments, care and repair is available. This
invaluable logistical support is non-profit making, costs being
spread equally amongst all those attending an event.
Uniforms and equipment are centrally sourced, to ensure
standards and quality are maintained – the cost to each member
is £15 per month paid by standing order to Col George Monk’s
Regiment of Foote Bank Account. (For serving personnel and
students the monthly subscription is reduced to £12.) In return
for this monthly subscription all military members are provided
with all that they need in the way of clothing, weapons and
equipment. Subscriptions also cover the cost of upgrading
clothing, weapons and equipment as we believe in constantly
improving what we do. Rather than buy off the peg, we engage
selected specialists to produce much of the clothing and
equipment as we have found that this is the most affordable way
of obtaining the high standard that we are aiming for.
In the evenings after the public has retired and the camp is in
good order, we get down to some serious fun, enjoying period
sports such as cricket or occasionally pugilism, followed by a
good few beers around the log fire. Discussion ranges through
the complete spectrum of camel jokes and service humour that
only living history teams can bring together!
The photographs in this section above and below were mostly
taken at the Duke of Wellington’s Country Park during a training
week-end / public display held over the April / May 2006 Bank
Holiday week-end.
Some may recognise ex-Guardsman Peter Knox, who took on
challengers half his age under the tutelage of Dr Milo Thurston
in the skilful art of Pugilism. This event was much appreciated
by all who witnessed and Knox was correctly reported to have
performed “an artistic display with great bottom” . Peter
unfortunately lost, but then that happens to us all sometimes…
The 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards (1815) Living History Group has
also achieved recognition in both Film and TV. In particular the
BBC know our quality and expertise, we have appeared in TV
documentaries such as “Fire Power” and “Nelson's Island. “
Higher profile activities included adding drill and costume
quality to Big Screen Films such as, “Vanity Fair” (2005),
“Pride & Prejudice” (2006) and soon to be released, “Amazing
Grace” (2007).
Family footsteps – the next generation of sons and daughters,
from 12 years of age onwards, can join in with their parents;
train as fire wood or cooks’ monkeys and drummers/musicians.
Then at 16, if their foot drill is good enough, take up their
father's musket and join the rank and file.
It is against this back-ground and with a degree of trepidation
that my colleague, Dr Milo Thurston (alias Captain Thurston) and
I (alias Corporal Bilcliffe), would be delighted to hear from
any serving or ex-Coldstream Guards. We believe that in
understanding History it helps us all to understand ourselves
and provide the current generation with access to "hands-on"
history.
Come and join us for a week-end and find out for yourself. Dr.
Thurston and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting you
either at a public display or through the good offices of WO II
(Andy) Johnson. Alternatively, please contact Dr Thurston
(milo.thurston@linacre.oxford.ac.uk) or the undersigned by
telephone on 077 99 88 39 78.
Thank you.
David G Bilcliffe
Technical Quartermaster
2nd Bn Coldstream Guards (1815) – Living History Group
The Old Granary Office
Pinnock Farm House
Pluckley
Ashford
Kent TN27 0SS
Tel: 0779 988 3978
Fax: 01233 840 875
Email:
DBilcliffe@glenealy-international.com
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