Gun Reviews >
Find a Dealer >
Find a Club >
Competitions >
videos >The Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WII
-
166
Comments
- Last updated: 01/07/2019
Comments
On the morning of the 6th of June 1944, many fine British regiments, each with their long and distinguished history, landed on the beaches at Normandy, which heralded the beginning of the Allied campaign to Liberate Europe. One of the regiments to land that day was the 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, going ashore on Sword Beach, as part of 185 Brigade, in the area designated as ‘Queen White’. A tough fight already lay behind them from earlier in the war and another equally tough fight lay ahead of them, as many men were killed or wounded during the advance inland.
Dating back to 1674, the regiment had many battle honours from the Napoleonic Wars, South Africa and the First World War. Operation Overlord would add to that list and other battalions earned yet more honours, including Burma 1945 and North- West Europe. Today, almost, 350 years after it was raised, the regiment’s wartime history is commemorated by a dedicated group of some 25 re-enactors who portray a rifle platoon of B Company of the 2nd Battalion.
The group was founded eight years ago, since which time it has attended many events, putting on static displays and demonstrating the tactics used by the men and the equipment they used. It was at the 1940s Weekend on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, near Cheltenham, that I had the opportunity to catch up with them and spent some time together. The presence of the group was a reminder that this year marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
In fact, Will Thatcher, one of the longest serving members of the group, explained to me that they have a full itinerary of events on the calendar over the next few months. Naturally, they will be visiting Normandy, to mark this milestone in regimental history and whilst there, between ten or fifteen members will undertake a ‘Tribute March’ to Lebisey, where more than 150 men of the battalion were killed, wounded or taken prisoner in the severe fighting. It will be a very emotional experience because several members of the group have direct family connections with the 2nd Battalion and a link with events, which they are there to commemorate.
It is not just Normandy that the group remembers in its re-enactment portrayals; they also remember the events at Wormhoudt, where men from the 2nd Battalion were killed by Germans on the 26th of May 1940, having been taken prisoner during the Dunkirk evacuation. The reconstructed barn serves as a memorial to the event and every member of the group knows the history and have visited the site to pay their respects. As far as they know, there are no veterans of the 2nd Battalion left alive from WWII, which is sad but inevitable. Indeed, it is to the memory of those men and the other battalions of the regiment, that they dedicate their depiction.
What they show at their displays is typical of an infantry platoon going into battle, complete with full kit, weapons and equipment. They put on a demonstration for me and they certainly are well motivated and representative of a typical soldier of the time. The weapons they carried included No4 Lee-Enfield rifles and a Mk II Bren Gun, which would have provided fire support. They are legally de-activated weapons purchased from dealers such as World Wide Arms (worldwidearms.com). Uniforms are mainly reproduction of high quality from the Welsh-based company of Soldier of Fortune (sofmilitary.co.uk) which offers a wide range of items.
The division and regimental badges worn on the uniform, such as the red triangle overlaid on a black triangle, the emblem of Third Infantry Division, and shoulder titles are obtained from Monty’s Locker (montyslocker.co.uk) which supplies a wide range of badges. Personal items, such as period spectacles, are available from specialist trader (deadmensspex. com) and items of webbing and other are obtained either from militaria shows, such as the Malvern Militaria Show or Stoneleigh, otherwise from traders at events. Members of the group also carry other items issued to troops of the time, such as pocket knives, but these are replicas obtained from the American-based company (whatpriceglory. com) which also supplies uniforms and kit.
The group is planning to broaden its display and has several projects in the pipeline. One plan, which is taking shape very nicely, is to obtain a blank-firing reproduction 6-Pounder anti-tank gun. This will allow them to present a display showing the anti-tank role of the infantry. The 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshires fought a long campaign in Europe, from the Normandy shores to the crossing of the Rhine River in March 1945. The battalion paid a high price, with nearly 300 officers and men killed and a further 1000 wounded or missing. In effect, by the end of the war the battalion had been virtually replaced. It is for this reason, along with many others, why Will Thatcher and his friends chose to portray the battalion as a living memorial.
As well as putting on displays showing the landings on D-Day, the group can present the inland battles in which the Battalion took part, including Bourguebus Ridge, Operation Bluecoat, July-August 1944, the Falaise Pocket and Operation Varsity, the Crossing of the Rhine in March 1945. With such a history for a single battalion, the group has a lot to choose from and will not lack for inspiration. These displays include static exhibitions of kit and infantry patrols, to show tactics and weapon handling skills. The function of each piece of equipment can be explained and questions answered in full by any one of the friendly and very helpful members.
In addition to public displays at events, the group also supports the Regimental Museum. In fact, it is for the museum that they are hoping to raise money through sponsorship, by undertaking the 15-mile march to Lebisey with each man carrying an authentic load of 70-pounds to represent battle conditions. It will be tough going, but they are confident. If anybody would like to pledge support, they can visit the Website at: justgiving. com/crowdfunding/royalwarwicks2019
The Regimental Museum figures significantly in the group’s displays and they promote it in return for the support it has provided them. In 1968, the regiment was amalgamated with several other regiments and became the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum is located at St John’s House, Warwick, CV34 4NF. The website can be found at: warwickfusiliers.co.uk.
Just like most re-enactment groups, the 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment group welcomes enquiries from potential recruits wishing to join their ranks. Social media is a good method and they can be contacted on Facebook at: facebook.com/ royalwarwicks/ The group can also be contacted though its website at: royalwarwicks.com So, if you fancy the idea of becoming a British infantry regiment with a long history, then contact the group, it might be they are just what you are looking for.
166 Comments
buy olmesartan for sale <a href="https://getveraml.com/">calan 120mg over the counter</a> divalproex online buy
Afoljo
29 May 2023 at 03:39 PMpurchase asacol online <a href="https://azelast.sbs/">order azelastine generic</a> buy avapro
Vboght
28 May 2023 at 03:01 AMbuy stromectol <a href="https://onlinepredpro.com/">order prednisone 20mg sale</a> order deltasone 20mg
Qpcjbh
23 May 2023 at 08:02 PMThis leads to a decrease in testosterone and therefore a decrease in sperm production <a >priligy medicine</a>
Neleata
18 May 2023 at 01:34 AMindocin 75mg pills <a href="https://getcefipro.com/">order suprax 200mg online</a> buy suprax pill
Xyiorh
15 May 2023 at 10:29 AMbuy diflucan 100mg <a href="https://cdflucon.com/">fluconazole 200mg pill</a> cipro buy online
Hldsfu
10 May 2023 at 02:17 PMcialis 10mg sale <a href="https://webcsonline.com/">generic cialis next day shipping</a> canadian viagra online pharmacy
Msowza
08 May 2023 at 09:05 PMtegretol 400mg generic <a href="https://cprolox.pro/">ciplox ca</a> buy generic lincocin
Bqpuww
07 May 2023 at 09:44 PMbrand nebivolol 20mg <a href="https://nebivpa.shop/">bystolic 5mg us</a> clozaril 100mg ca
Hqgsqv
05 May 2023 at 09:44 AMcheap combivent 100mcg <a href="https://alinezl.ink/">buy generic linezolid 600 mg</a> linezolid order online
Vycjwf
03 May 2023 at 11:24 AMbuy betamethasone 20 gm online cheap <a href="https://bitracon.ink/">buy itraconazole 100 mg</a> itraconazole 100 mg oral
Ebfvli
02 May 2023 at 01:42 PMbuy imitrex pills for sale <a href="https://lsumatr.com/">brand imitrex 25mg</a> order dutasteride online
Xgtxxv
28 Apr 2023 at 01:03 AMxenical online order <a href="https://buyostat.com/">buy orlistat generic</a> allopurinol 300mg usa
Fbwvip
25 Apr 2023 at 03:24 AMzestril 5mg sale <a href="https://getmetolx.com/">order lopressor 100mg generic</a> metoprolol drug
Yawssp
23 Apr 2023 at 02:24 PMorder glycomet 1000mg online cheap <a href="https://buygluphx.com/">purchase glycomet pills</a> amlodipine price
Nibenl
22 Apr 2023 at 09:21 AMatenolol 50mg drug <a href="https://atexlol.com/">buy tenormin paypal</a> letrozole pills
Fybgre
20 Apr 2023 at 03:32 AMmodafinil us <a href="https://buymodapl.com/">purchase provigil generic</a> prednisone 40mg canada
Llyili
14 Apr 2023 at 12:02 AMcialis 10mg cost <a href="https://getedtbs.com/">ed pills cheap</a> erectile dysfunction medicines
Xxndbc
12 Apr 2023 at 12:14 AMbrand lipitor 40mg <a href="https://ratorvin.com/">lipitor drug</a> buy sildenafil 100mg pills
Ukbucn
10 Apr 2023 at 08:28 AMbrand lexapro 10mg <a href="https://getfluox.shop/">buy generic prozac over the counter</a> naltrexone 50mg sale
Htkzwq
09 Apr 2023 at 07:34 AMcenforce sale <a href="https://rmexrmin.com/">order generic glucophage 500mg</a> order glucophage 500mg online
Sqqlyq
08 Apr 2023 at 12:12 PMcoumadin 2mg brand <a href="https://buyallop.top/">zyloprim 300mg for sale</a> allopurinol ca
Vcxkpk
04 Apr 2023 at 07:34 PMbuy levofloxacin without prescription <a href="https://buyursod.pro/">buy ursodiol 150mg pills</a> bupropion 150mg usa
Cyiylk
04 Apr 2023 at 05:13 AMbuy promethazine 25mg online cheap <a href="https://getmdfonline.com/">provigil 100mg us</a> buy tadalafil 40mg pill
Slbatk
02 Apr 2023 at 08:48 AMbuy alfuzosin <a href="https://geturox.best/">buy alfuzosin 10mg for sale</a> diltiazem 180mg brand
Afqruu
31 Mar 2023 at 02:32 AMpurchase simvastatin pills <a href="https://getprome.pro/">buy promethazine online</a> sildenafil 50 mg
Uuidxi
29 Mar 2023 at 04:53 AMbuy cefdinir 300mg generic <a href="https://buypreva.pro/">lansoprazole 30mg drug</a> order protonix pills
Mmfndr
27 Mar 2023 at 11:34 PMoxybutynin 2.5mg us <a href="https://buytril.top/">oxcarbazepine pills</a> order oxcarbazepine 600mg online
Xriqxh
27 Mar 2023 at 07:06 AMcost prednisolone 5mg <a href="https://buylasonline.com/">cheap furosemide 100mg</a> furosemide 100mg over the counter
Jsqayr
21 Mar 2023 at 11:14 PMorder ventolin 2mg online cheap <a href="https://prosynonline.life/">buy synthroid 75mcg online</a> order augmentin online cheap
Qxjpct
20 Mar 2023 at 02:49 AMorder accutane 20mg for sale <a href="https://buypredonline.pro/">prednisone 40mg uk</a> ampicillin pills
Shsgon
15 Mar 2023 at 10:48 AMpurchase prednisone sale <a href="https://amoxiciplg.com/">buy amoxil 250mg generic</a> buy amoxil 250mg
Haxwla
14 Mar 2023 at 04:19 AMmodafinil drug <a href="https://modaforsleep.com/">modafinil 200mg oral</a> purchase promethazine generic
Wgjbnf
12 Mar 2023 at 10:20 AMbuy nexium 40mg online cheap <a href="https://acpllsk.shop/">biaxin 250mg pills</a> purchase lasix generic
Jtcqax
08 Mar 2023 at 07:03 AMorder fenofibrate sale <a href="https://aptrico.best/">buy fenofibrate 160mg online</a> buy sildenafil generic
Dwwmdx
07 Mar 2023 at 09:22 AMbuy indocin generic <a href="https://grcpllsonline.shop/">indocin cost</a> buy cenforce 100mg online
Lvyqaz
03 Mar 2023 at 02:56 AMbuy digoxin 250 mg pill <a href="https://buymicardpl.com/">buy generic telmisartan 80mg</a> buy molnunat 200 mg online
Rtbirz
25 Feb 2023 at 01:17 PMbuy olmesartan 20mg online cheap <a href="https://buybenicaxp.com/">benicar 20mg without prescription</a> buy generic depakote
Wdmcos
23 Feb 2023 at 05:53 PMactos over the counter <a href="https://apioglitazone.com/">cost actos 30mg</a> order generic viagra 100mg
Gooeqk
13 Feb 2023 at 04:17 AMmontelukast 10mg for sale <a href="https://gnviagonline.com/">buy viagra 50mg for sale</a> usa viagra sales
Iuxpcq
12 Feb 2023 at 02:55 PMorder generic spiriva 9mcg <a href="https://aterazosinc.com/">order hytrin 1mg</a> buy terazosin 5mg generic
Gwzppb
11 Feb 2023 at 03:02 PMproventil online buy <a href="https://cipllonline.com/">order ciprofloxacin</a> buy cipro 1000mg sale
Mtssku
10 Feb 2023 at 11:44 PMsildalis cheap <a href="https://estradiolep.com/">order estrace 1mg generic</a> lamictal 50mg pill
Owklnt
28 Jan 2023 at 07:52 AMedit letter <a href="https://essayxwr.com/">custom research paper writing</a> ivermectin 12 mg for humans
Tywtih
27 Jan 2023 at 09:00 PMfree slots casino games <a href="https://casoxplay.com/">planning poker online</a> tadalafil 20mg ca
Drewpd
26 Jan 2023 at 08:52 AMbuy tamsulosin 0.2mg for sale <a href="https://baldactonebuy.com/">order spironolactone 100mg online</a> purchase spironolactone online cheap
Ltkoir
20 Jan 2023 at 09:28 AMgloperba ca <a href="https://playslotcasin.win/">poker online sites</a> online slots
Hbdpth
18 Jan 2023 at 02:48 PMpurchase imitrex sale <a href="https://aimitrex.cfd/">imitrex 50mg generic</a> buy dutasteride for sale
Ftlxhh
17 Jan 2023 at 11:39 PMbuy cozaar 50mg for sale <a href="https://losartan.top/">losartan buy online</a> topamax 100mg pills
Hnsxcl
16 Jan 2023 at 07:10 PMzyloprim 100mg without prescription <a href="https://rosuvastatin.pro/">rosuvastatin 20mg cost</a> ezetimibe 10mg tablet
Zjpmaa
15 Jan 2023 at 12:28 AMclomiphene 100mg brand <a href="https://agclomid.life/">order clomiphene 100mg online</a> gambling casinos
Sfxjqm
10 Jan 2023 at 03:23 AMi need a paper written for me <a href="https://paperwritebot.com/">write my thesis</a> viagra pills 200mg
Jfnsqf
09 Jan 2023 at 02:26 PMbuy an essay online <a href="https://essayxforyou.com/">term papers for sale online</a> online casinos real money
Jokmzq
08 Jan 2023 at 08:53 AMbuy metoprolol sale <a href="https://metoprop.com/">buy metoprolol 100mg for sale</a> buy vardenafil sale
Hamrkf
07 Jan 2023 at 08:19 AMlinezolid 600mg uk <a href="https://alinezolid.com/">cost linezolid</a> parx casino online
Hqnjjz
05 Jan 2023 at 03:45 PMorder viagra 100mg online <a href="https://viasdfn.pro/">sildenafil fast shipping</a> lisinopril 2.5mg pills
Wdmfal
05 Jan 2023 at 12:23 AMorder clozapine 100mg <a href="https://aipratropium.com/">order ipratropium for sale</a> decadron 0,5 mg pill
Pbzmle
04 Jan 2023 at 11:41 AMgeneric itraconazole 100 mg <a href="https://aitraconazole.com/">itraconazole cheap</a> tinidazole over the counter
Fshczc
02 Jan 2023 at 03:44 AMorder generic chloroquine 250mg <a href="https://baricitinc.com/">baricitinib 2mg drug</a> order olumiant 4mg
Gyxxck
01 Jan 2023 at 12:11 PMorder furosemide for sale <a href="https://hfurosemide.com/">lasix canada</a> generic hydroxychloroquine 200mg
Gyolei
31 Dec 2022 at 08:43 AMbuy tadalafil 5mg sale <a href="https://erctcls.com/">otc cialis</a> guaranteed viagra overnight delivery usa
Ygbabg
30 Dec 2022 at 07:44 PMzithromax 250mg without prescription <a href="https://azithromypin.com/">order zithromax 500mg without prescription</a> gabapentin 800mg for sale
Tudlev
30 Dec 2022 at 04:45 AMorder modafinil 100mg online <a href="https://tamodafinil.com/">buy provigil 200mg</a> stromectol 3mg cost
Ulvhdh
27 Dec 2022 at 08:08 PMbuy dapsone 100 mg for sale <a href="https://dapsonemg.com/">cheap dapsone 100 mg</a> purchase aceon generic
Uvxilh
26 Dec 2022 at 06:43 AMorder salbutamol 100 mcg <a href="https://buyproventi.com/">order salbutamol sale</a> sildenafil 100mg over the counter
Yurabm
24 Dec 2022 at 12:13 AMorder molnupiravir generic <a href="https://buylansoprazol.com/">order lansoprazole 30mg online</a> order generic lansoprazole 30mg
Dqitgw
22 Dec 2022 at 09:19 PMbupropion 150mg without prescription <a href="https://gtomoxetine.com/">atomoxetine cheap</a> quetiapine price
Kflcew
22 Dec 2022 at 12:05 AMorder hytrin without prescription <a href="https://leflunomidep.com/">leflunomide brand</a> sulfasalazine 500 mg pills
Pkgeea
19 Dec 2022 at 04:13 AMpurchase buspirone sale <a href="https://buycordaro.com/">buy amiodarone 100mg generic</a> order oxybutynin 2.5mg online cheap
Esfpwr
18 Dec 2022 at 09:50 AMprovigil 200mg generic <a href="https://acetazolamider.com/">order diamox 250 mg pills</a> acetazolamide 250mg generic
Sqfrug
16 Dec 2022 at 08:53 AMtadalafil generika <a href="https://sildede.com/">sildenafil generika</a> viagra kaufen generika
Npugtu
15 Dec 2022 at 05:18 AMbuy prednisone 5mg without prescription <a href="https://genviapl.com/">order viagra 100mg for sale</a> cost sildenafil 50mg
Ghirst
13 Dec 2022 at 05:55 PMaccutane tablet <a href="https://ztmaxpill.com/">buy azithromycin generic</a> azithromycin tablet
Xqfijn
10 Dec 2022 at 08:42 PMbuy suhagra 50mg pill <a href="https://justsuhagra.com/">buy suhagra 100mg for sale</a> buy estrace 1mg generic
Urehbx
07 Dec 2022 at 09:54 AMfildena price <a href="https://justcarepro.com/">cost bimatoprost</a> oral methocarbamol
Yyfjfn
06 Dec 2022 at 02:49 AMorder dutasteride online <a href="https://gncelebra.com/">buy celebrex 200mg online cheap</a> buy ondansetron 8mg pills
Fbkjvu
02 Dec 2022 at 04:16 AMbuy colchicine pills <a href="https://gnmethotrexat.com/">methotrexate order</a> order methotrexate 5mg online
Arktdo
27 Nov 2022 at 02:32 PMacyclovir ca <a href="https://xyacyclov.com/">zovirax 800mg pills</a> order allopurinol 100mg generic
Ofvrue
19 Nov 2022 at 10:18 AMbuy cytotec 200mcg generic <a href="https://bcytopc.com/">cytotec 200mcg generic</a> cost levothyroxine
Methab
17 Nov 2022 at 01:26 PMtriamcinolone for sale <a href="https://gvaristoc.com/">order aristocort online</a> buy priligy 30mg generic
Oppshq
16 Nov 2022 at 04:16 AMorder clomid without prescription <a href="https://preglyri.com/">pregabalin online</a> lyrica 150mg for sale
Qbgmpb
14 Nov 2022 at 11:59 PMorder metoprolol for sale <a href="https://blevitrapol.com/">levitra 10mg oral</a> methylprednisolone 8 mg over the counter
Hynejz
13 Nov 2022 at 08:47 PMatorvastatin 10mg cost <a href="https://edviagor.com/">sildenafil usa</a> oral sildenafil 50mg
Iifjcp
11 Nov 2022 at 03:07 PMbuy plaquenil 400mg generic <a href="https://glucop.com/">order glucophage 1000mg for sale</a> stromectol tablets uk
Nwfjwh
10 Nov 2022 at 07:58 AMlasix over the counter <a href="https://toplasis.com/">furosemide 20 mg drug</a> ivermectin 3mg tablets price
Flcdip
09 Nov 2022 at 04:42 AMorder zithromax generic <a href="https://neuromns.com/">order gabapentin 800mg pills</a> buy gabapentin 600mg generic
Ihuqnq
08 Nov 2022 at 01:59 AMdeltasone 10mg oral <a href="https://accutarsx.com/">order accutane in mexico</a> amoxicillin without prescription
Dzwazo
07 Nov 2022 at 11:09 AMtricor pills <a href="https://uroxatrn.com/">uroxatral 10mg brand</a> buy alfuzosin without prescription
Rlvtze
02 Nov 2022 at 03:47 AMfuradantin 100mg price <a href="https://fosamalp.com/">order alendronate 70mg pills</a> ibuprofen for sale
Ksniaw
29 Oct 2022 at 09:31 PMcoreg tablet <a href="https://ditropal.com/">order ditropan without prescription</a> elavil 10mg over the counter
Ljnsol
28 Oct 2022 at 07:04 PMorder asacol pills <a href="https://cordaronal.com/">order amiodarone for sale</a> buy amiodarone 200mg generic
Ufgygk
27 Oct 2022 at 02:12 PMorder toradol 10mg online cheap <a href="https://celebxlpl.com/">celebrex buy online</a> generic losartan
Cguugh
25 Oct 2022 at 01:14 PMlisinopril pill <a href="https://atenolpli.com/">order atenolol 100mg generic</a> order tenormin 50mg online cheap
Qpvebg
22 Oct 2022 at 01:38 PMorder generic glucophage 500mg <a href="https://amlodpis.com/">purchase norvasc online</a> generic norvasc
Mpollw
21 Oct 2022 at 11:10 AMceftin over the counter <a href="https://careprostme.com/">generic careprost</a> purchase robaxin pills
Spbrcr
18 Oct 2022 at 12:23 AMbuy cephalexin 250mg sale <a href="https://cephalexinea.com/">buy cephalexin 250mg for sale</a> erythromycin oral
Hburwi
15 Oct 2022 at 08:14 PMorder augmentin 1000mg sale <a href="https://abactrilm.com/">order bactrim 960mg without prescription</a> sulfamethoxazole cheap
Wqlmst
13 Oct 2022 at 02:20 PMpurchase zofran pills <a href="https://asimvastatin.com/">buy zocor generic</a> simvastatin 20mg sale
Gmvdpd
10 Oct 2022 at 08:12 AMpurchase clarinex generic <a href="https://xetoricoxib.com/">buy generic etoricoxib 120mg</a> order mesalamine 400mg without prescription
Hdlhzx
23 Sep 2022 at 06:23 AMorder generic atorvastatin 20mg <a href="https://buypregabalins.com/">pregabalin 150mg tablet</a> purchase pregabalin for sale
Vxpupl
21 Sep 2022 at 11:06 PM