Seasons Greetings

All members of the East Yorkshire Regiment Living History Group would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!! Take care and we will see you all in the new season!!

The Victory Show, Cosby, Leicestershire 2013

This years victory show , we decided to do something a little bit more difficult. By popular demand it was decided to do B.E.F, something we could all partake in with only small kit changes. Some of us were short on bits and bobs but these were generously found within the unit. The look was rough and digging in for one night retreating from Wulpen To Dunkerque. 

We dug our own slit trenches throughout the weekend , unlike most groups who have the digger. Props were prepared beforehand. Some of us went on the Friday to set up and eventually we had our area converted into a farmyard type area with shot down walls for cover and a tin shack shelter. The shack was our safety measure if the weather turned and was to be for wounded. Fortunately the weather was great. 

People were arriving throughout Friday and Saturday and we ended up with a good section of enthusiastic tommies. We went tactical from 9am through till 5pm and we were kept very busy. 

The public response was very good and public and re-enactors alike were very impressed. 

The air display was superb as was the battle. Really well done to those who went for it and I am sure we all feel it was worth the extra trouble. 

A special thanks should go to Dave Wilson , who spent a long time making props in his holiday time at short notice, and hired the bren too . 

Thanks Dave and the East Yorks for going that little bit further  We were approached by some other BEF to do something next year and also some vehicle owners . Also, thanks to Tim, who had a bit of trouble with his vehicle - well done for trying Tim! 
We look forward very much to next year!!

Report written by Andrew Etherington.

We have an excellent selection of photos from this event taken by Debbie, Martin and Russell. Some below and more to be seen here.

Rufford Abbey, Eventplan’s 1940s Living History Weekend, Nottinghamshire 2013

Our sixth year supporting this event and once again a great turn out. Always a joy to attend this event and an excellent time was had by all.

Below are some photos from this event.

Brodsworth Hall, English Heritage D-Day Training Weekend August, Doncaster

Our second event this year in the beautiful location of Brodsworth Hall for English Heritage, over another glorious weekend with a different scenario yet just as much fun. 
Photos from this event can be seen here provided by Martin and Debbie.  

History Live! 2013, Kelmarsh

Yet another fantastic year at Kelmarsh, a brilliant multi-period event. Photos from this event can be seen here.

Harrogate, Valley Gardens 2013

This year the weather was dry and sunny, we were situated between the Home Front and the local MVT jeep display.

We had a small but interesting display which kept a constant stream of public coming to talk to us, a weapons and 14 man ration display.

Lots of familiar faces appeared to say hello, including some very interesting veterans, a mosquito pilot and ATS lady, with lots of photos and artefacts.

This year the public turnout increased to 28,000 which indicates how popular the event has become. 

See photos from this event below.

We will remember them.

"Between 04.30 - 0600 hours, the assault landing crafts were lowered from the Empire Battleaxe and HMS Battleaxe, just after 0600 the seven mile journey to the beaches began .
 
At 07.25 the East Yorkshire Regiment landed on Queen Red beach, where heavy mortar, machine gun and Artillery fire was encountered. A and B companies supported by tanks were to break through the beach obstacles, A coy along with C coy of the 1st South Lancs attacked strong point cod, B coy moved inland to assault strong point sole, with C coy in support.
 
The next objective was the Daimler battery (D and C coys).
 
Both strong points cod and sole were out of action by 10.00am and Daimler was out of action by 18.00 hrs (70 prisoners)
 
The East Yorks were relieved by the KOSB, and spent the night in a cornfield near to Hermanville.

By the end of D Day, the East Yorks had lost 5 officers and 60 men killed - the wounded numbered 137."

On this 69th anniversary of D-Day, please spare a few moments to remember the fallen, the fallen officers and men of our regiment, and those lucky men who made it. 

Always remembered, never forgotten.

Brodsworth Hall, English Heritage Home Front Weekend, Doncaster May 2013

We were engaged by English Heritage for three days over the late May bank holiday.  The Group was allocated the beautiful and secluded location of the archery range.  The idea from English Heritage was that that visitors would happen upon us whilst exploring the gardens and then un-expectantly be taken back in time.  


As we were the only group in this location we could be, as usual, totally authentic and indulge in creative living history without any modern distractions.

The scenario was that we, as invasion trained troops, were being used as instructors for a course on irregular warfare.  Our task was to give introductory lectures on the subjects that the students would be trained upon.  At the same time of we were to assess the student’s suitability as recruits for the Special Operations Executive.

Lectures, mostly lasting about half an hour, were given on a wide range of topics.  The lectures covered explosives, weapons, first aid, codes and ciphers, ‘know your enemy’, memory tests and unarmed combat.  The students (portrayed by members of the group) entered into the spirit of the event, especially the ladies who were soon trying things they had not had opportunity to do before.  The sight of the ladies at the firing point was almost as pleasing as their participation in the un-armed combat.

The weather stayed very pleasant and undoubtedly the unbroken sunshine over the three days helped make the event a great success.  All participants did a great job and we now have another winning scenario to add to our repertoire.

Report by David Cooper

More photos from this event can be seen here.

2013 Events

It's that time of year again when we have a list drawn up of our events and weekends for the rest of the year. This can be viewed on the events page.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and 2013 is treating you well so far, and we look forward to the beginning of the season!