September 6th - 7th Victory Show, Cosby, Leicestershire

Report by Andrew Etherington

This year we decided to share our display with another group which greatly improved numbers. We had a radio group and a Vickers machine gun group made up of men from various units all portraying the Middlesex Regt in 3rd div '44. This all made a large display and we filled a very large area. Friday being open to schools whilst most groups set up their displays . During the hot day various people turned up and we all got stuck into putting trenches in and getting the tentage sorted out. Planes arrived just over the hedge and armour arrived all day as the atmosphere built. By evening things were coming together nicely and the forecast for the weekend was good. 

Saturday soon arrived and so did more men. During the day the 100% authentic display was added to with a couple of motorcycles and a BREN CARRIER. We soon took over the carrier and had it set dressed. 

I felt our display was one of our best; the carrier , two motorcycles , the radios , a bren pit , a 3" mortar pit , 4 vickers machine guns in pits and 20 plus infantry, too many to count. It really was a sight for sore eyes. During the day the planes were flying around very close to us. We took part in the battle on both days , which was standard for Victory Show. Something about the Germans being trapped in some pocket somewhere with spitfires and Hurricanes straffing them all day before we had to finish the job. Quite an experience to go into battle under spits and hurricanes and behind armour and with a vickers machine gun in support...."what did you do at the weekend " comes to mind. We also had a firing bren which despite its problems added to the authenticity of the chaos with so many people on such a small field. The show was very well attended by the public and we were kept busy all day and periodically fired our mortar. 

All the main groups had high standards this year and our display had to be ranked up there with the best. It was heartening to see us Tommies getting together and showing how it can be done. When other groups want to be a part of ours it should make us proud. I think we all enjoyed this, it really was immense and now the season is over we can look forward to the next. Thanks should go to all of us for this one because we all bought something to this event which however small made something quite big. So , thanks everyone , for putting the Tommy up there. Any ideas for next year lads ?

October 11th - 12th Pickering Castle for English Heritage, Pickering, North Yorkshire

Report by Dale Heaton

As usual, our annual trip to Pickering  Castle  was the our last event of the year. 

Some of us arrived on Friday evening and we spent a pleasant hour or two in the pub before retiring for the night. Saturday dawned cold and misty but soon cleared up and became a lovely warm sunny day.

Our displays and activities went very well and we had a good attendance for both our infantry section in training displays and 'show and tell' lectures. This I think was because English Heritage have at last realised that they needed to get us included in the event itinerary so the public know where we are and what we are doing. L/Cpl Heaton was given the opportunity of commanding the section on both section training displays and has clearly been paying attention to what the Corp and Sarge do. Well done Adam.

Saturday night was the usual bun fight in town but in the spirit of years gone by, some of us wore something in keeping with the period rather than retreating into modern comfortable clothes. For the first time in 34 years I shaved off my moustache so I would be accurate to portray a Royal Navy deck officer.

Sunday was pretty much a repeat of Saturday but with a few more people kindly turning out to support the unit and to help make another good day.

All in all this was a very successful and enjoyable weekend. We had a great reception and a lot of interest from the public. English Heritage was very pleased and said they had record attendance for any one day with over 600 through the gates on Saturday and a total of 1154 for the weekend.

A very successful finale to another successful year.  

September 27th - 28th 1940s Living History Weekend, Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire

Report by Glen Cooper

Really looked forward to this one. Not too far for me, a great setting and a nice pub! Got there Saturday morning to find we had been positioned next to the event field and next to a Stuart tank. I decided that, for the first time, I was going to camp in the big tent (earplugs on hand!). I was told by those who stayed Friday night that it had been ‘B!&&*^ freezing’. Weather for both days was really good for the time of year. This obviously brought out the crowds as we were told there were queues on the main road to get in. Our drill presentations for Churchill and Monty were spot on considering we don’t do much of it in the year. 

The training scenario included the 3 inch mortar which gave the public a few big bangs. I carried my Bren and had to make the noises myself! The ladies presented a semaphore lesson that attracted quite a lot of interest from the public. Saturday night, a swing band entertained in the marquee playing those well known 40s tunes (Batman theme?). It was left to Bill and I to frequent the local public house, down a few beverages, be subtly persuaded to leave, then negotiate the deep, dark woods back to camp…to find Adam and Dale still supping! Saturday night was warmer. My earplugs kept out the clang of the bells every hour until seven and a nice ‘wind’ blew through the tent! Sorry guys!

Considering a few years ago the council were looking at finishing this event, with the turn-out this year, On the Home Front will carry on for many years to come.

9th and 10th August 2014 - Crich, Derbyshire

Report from Michael Lycett

I set off from Leeds just as the rain started. By the time we got to Sheffield there was about a foot of water on the M1. I got a text from Adam, the only other person going down on Friday evening, to say he was having difficulty getting out of Castleford due to the river running down the main street. So we turned back with the intention of regrouping in the morning.

We arrived at the campsite in good time in the morning with Glen right behind us at the gate. We got togged up and headed across to the museum. We quickly formed up and set off up the high street. As soon as we stepped round the corner the photographs started. Walking up the road all kitted up is such a simple thing and always popular. So we went back down to the tram shed and sat on the edge of the platform and brewed up. Again a simple and popular activity. It also gave Glen the chance to try out his newly made "in the field" tin can cooker. We then had another walk up to the Bandstand, this time we kept going up the hill following signs to the "Sniper School". They certainly had a lot of kit. After an extended lunch we got ready for the walking out part of the day. Adam and Glen went back up to the museum and met up with Mr Cooper. So the three of them attended the ceremony up at the stand. We spent the evening sitting around a wonderful fire. We turned in with high hopes for the next day. I think that the rain arrived about midnight and kept up a steady deluge until morning. When I ventured out of the tent it was dry and almost sunny. Adam had had to re-locate to his car as his tent had failed its waterproof test and was cold wet and tired. I was tired as I had discovered that my plastic tent isn't really big enough for two adults and two kids. We agreed to wait an hour and see what happened and what happened was it started to rain which got steadily heavier. We made the decision to bail out. Not something I like to do. If I hadn't had the kids with me I might have stayed on. By the time I got packed away I was wet through and cold and tired and hungry. Breakfast at Tibshelf it was!! 

Photos are to follow. 

July 19th - 20th Kelmarsh Hall, English Heritage, Northants

Report from Dale Heaton

Most of us arrived on the Friday evening for this highlight of multiperiod living history and were treated to a spectacular fireworks display of an electrical storm as it gradually moved overhead. 

Saturday started fine and sunny and we had an excellent spot which attracted much interest and intelligent questions from the public. It was nice to say hello to new member Chris Wharam who had made to effort to travel all the way from Brighton to be with us. Well done Chris and a good first effort with your kit.The day was punctuated by absolutely torrential rain showers.

The events of the day finished with our mock battle being a representation of the pincer movement between British U.S. troops catching the Germans at Falaise. It went well and was fortunately not too long bearing in mind the thick wool uniforms, all the kit we carried versus the 30 degree heat.

Immediately after we had to form up into a parade past the public and salute to all the units at the event. I noticed some units slipped away and did not take part in this. We did and it was a bit longwinded with lots of standing about in full kit under the hot sun. Lovely.

Next day was hot and sunny all day and was pretty much a repeat of Saturday. Again the public were there in droves and we were very well received. I got a chance to see the Romans in action and they were very good. I understand the WWII yanks in the wood were excellent also.

Our battle went better and concluded with a magnificent victory loop from a Spitfire right over our heads.

As we formed up for the final parade it was nice to see a sizeable group of chaps who were representing Sikh Sepoys of WWI. After another long stand around in the baking heat for the final salute to each other, it was time to PUFO.

Another great and successful weekend. 

Photos taken by Martin and Debbie can be seen here. 

May 25th - 27th Richmond Castle for English Heritage, Richmond, North Yorkshire

Report by Dale Heaton

Most if not all attendees arrived at the event on the Friday evening and were treated to an evening of torrential rain and thunderstorms.

Saturday dawned a little better and provided a day of sunny spells punctuated with very heavy showers. The public were about in decent numbers and there was much interest both our static and arena displays. This time we did the section attack on an enemy position scenario.

The second of our arena displays was in truth a little late in the afternoon at 4.00 and by this time the rain had returned and set in for the evening.

Just two ladies stood at the arena side as the time for our display arrived. I had thought about offering to refund their entrance fees if they would go away but no, just as in the Trevor Sharpe and the famous Coldstream Guards Band incident, the show must go on no matter how small the audience is. The result was the swiftest section attack we have ever done!

Two thunderstorms during the night interrupted the sleep of some but Sunday dawned much better. The shape of  the day was same as Saturday but without the rain which held off all day until the time to pack up came thus ensuring all the tentage went away wet!

All in all another very pleasant and enjoyable weekend in this magnificent setting notwithstanding the challenging conditions.    

Photos taken by Martin and Debbie at this event can be seen here. 

July 5th - 6th 2014 The Yorkshire Wartime Experience, Bradford

Report by Gary Hancock

I turned up on Friday lunch time expecting to find us in the same place as last year but discovered we had been ousted by the Germans and we had inherited their trenches. We were positioned at the end of the line with the 6pr. I thought the East Yorks would be busy digging trenches and filling sandbags but I had arrived too early and there was no one from the EY to be seen. Mike Lycett was next on the scene with tentage, which was unloaded and we set too spreading the trail on the 6pr. Assistance was received from the 5.5 gun crew to erect the tent before the Sarge arrived and beds were made. More people arrived through the night and the tent was well occupied by the morning. 

Saturday was spent filling sandbags and occupying the trench, with a battle at 4pm (ish). We had a Grizily parked behind us and a carrier belonging to FIRE next to us, Sunday was the same with the day spent talking to the public and eating. After the battle tents were taken down and packed away, sand bags were emptied and cars filled with kit. It was great to see Anna, who was looking radiant after producing another addition to the Lycett clan.

There was a great variety of vehicles and displays from a first war truck to a Reo and a trench system to a RAF fund raising stall, complete with fantastic pin badges. There were a few stalls selling the usual stuff that no one needs but seems to sell well. Overall, a great weekend.

Harrogate Valley Gardens, June 29th

Report written by Michael Lycett.

This is the forth year that we have supported this show held in the Valley Gardens Harrogate. We had a good turnout and did the usual show and tell display. Although this is a small one day show, we never stopped. We had a constant flow of interested public. New boy Dave Lazenby got togged up in combat gear and was just left to get on with it. From what I could see he did a fantastic job. The star attraction was of course Alf Ackroyd. Alf spent the whole day talking to Dale and Adam and Andrew and also answering many questions form the public. Many just wanting to thank him for what he did. It is always an immense pleasure to have Alf with us and to see him getting the recognition he deserves. Thanks have to go to Helen for organising the wheel chair and for Dale for looking after Alf.

Alf rang me to ask me to pass on his thanks to every one for a great day.

Elvington May 2014

We have displayed at Elvington for a few years now and this year the display area had been moved from our usual spot, to the patch just in front of the control tower.  We weren’t sure about this spot at first, as we were more exposed to the weather but we were also more exposed to the visitors, which was welcome.

Our display was the well tried and tested dining shelter based - troops in holding camp on the eve of D' Day and our small display of arms and equipment of the infantry soldier went down well, not least the 3 inch Mortar brought along by Gary. We had a play with it Saturday evening which brought quite a bit of attention from other groups. 
 

The C47 is now open to visitors and the experience is quite impressive with the sound and vibration to simulate a flight through enemy flack and jump. The stalls, which were surprisingly, good tempted many of the group to purchase even more kit!

Cake and flapjack was provided by Mike and the Sarge and very kindly the Garrison fed us with their surplus fry up and sandwiches which were eagerly consumed.

By Saturday evening the weather had taken a turn for the worse and it was quite cold sitting under the dining shelter so after dinner we took shelter in the NAFFI for the rest of the evening. Sunday morning arrived with more of the unsettled weather. We were subjected to one of the heaviest showers  and were went to the rescue of a German group who's display was on the point of taking flight on the strong gusts of wind.

Also, Sarge was pleased to announce that Private Heaton Jnr is promoted to Lance Corporal - well done Adam!!

Overall, a nice start to the season for the East Yorks.

 

 

Some photo's from this event can be seen here.

 

Brodsworth Hall May 2014

Report written by Martin Clewlow

Brodsworth Hall was the perfect setting for a relaxed event set during 1914. The theme was the outbreak of war and recruitment of volunteers. The main infantry display was supplied by the Manchester Regiment Group whilst we created a scenario of three bell tents, and a canvas shelter. We had five Tommies and four civilians in attendance. The Soyer Cooker took pride of place and was a big draw with the public who were all enthralled with it's steamy smokiness! This also proved invaluable for it's constant supply of hot water for the essential Tommies Brew-up. One Bell tent formed accommodation for an officer, who graced us with his presence for a while on Sunday. The accoutrements therein seemed to be of interest to the public and indeed all members of the group could be seen answering questions over the weekend. The weather was very kind to us, although the Friday evening was extremely cold under canvas!

Overall, another success for both the East Yorkshire Regiment Living History Group, English Heritage, and Brodsworth Hall. More photos from this brilliant weekend can be seen here.

We are now on Facebook!

To enable our group and potential members to follow us easier, the East Yorkshire Regiment Living History Group are now on Facebook! 

So click on the icon below, sign in, give our page "a like" and you'll receive reminders of upcoming events so you are in the know of where we will be and when. You will be able to see photos from events there to (as well as here on our website) so you can see us in all of our glory! 

It is also another way of you contacting us if you have any queries.

Happy facebooking!

 

Welcome to the season of 2014!

Greetings to all!! We all hope you had a relaxing Christmas and wonderful New Year, and had a good rest up for what looks like a busy season ahead. 

Our annual AGM took place on Sunday 9th March in beautiful, sunny York with a cracking turn out from the group. 

We are pleased to present you with our new events list for 2014 with some fantastic events lined up, and we really hope to see you there! 

Interested in joining us this season? 

We welcome all new members with open arms, so click on the membership page to find out more on how to become a part of the East Yorkshire Regiment Living History Group!