Crimean War Impression

Some of you may have heard about the ACWS' Crimean War Impression (1854-56) and wondered what on earth was going on, and why were we doing this period.

It all started with English Heritage desperately needing some Crimean Redcoats for an event at Richmond Castle in North Yorkshire in August 2004 and asked the ACWS if they could provide the bodies, expertise and weaponry, and they would organise the uniforms. We fielded nine fully armed and kitted redcoats for that event with bizarre "Tommy Cooper" hats. We represented the Green Howard’s, as Richmond is today their home town, and the name stuck. Everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and determined to do it again, so we sought and obtained ACWS Board approval to continue. Gradually, we then obtained correct bell tents, Kilmarnock hats, bought the leatherwork off E.H., and had two events in 2005 for E.H. For 2006, we will have more bell tents and accurately made coatees, shirts and haversacks, in truth full equipped as authentically as we can be.

A British Crimean War unit, the 19th Foot (Green Howard’s), and a small Commissariat Department, were formed made up of ACWS members, mostly from Company K and 1st Tennessee. In addition, our ACWS cavalry unit have decided to form a squad of the 11th Hussars, and they are hoping to show for the first time at Kelmarsh Hall in August. We currently have no plans to do battle re-enactments or any other infantry impression, restricting our activities to Living History, Drill, Marching and Firing displays. We also contribute to the ACWS funds from the event hiring fees we receive, just like any other unit doing a regimental event. Why not visit us on our web site at http://www.19thfoot.co.uk.

Our events for 2006 are as follows:

April 22-23 - WREST PARK
English Heritage Event - St George's Day Festival at Wrest Park Gardens, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HS.
Display SATURDAY & SUNDAY.

June10-11
WHITTINGTON BARRACKS
This event is being held by the Staffordshire Regimental Museum at Whittington Barracks, near Lichfield, Staffordshire. The event's working title is "British Red Coats" and will feature redcoats from 1700 until 1880, with several other groups in attendance.
Displays SATURDAY & SUNDAY.
This is NOT a full scale 19th Foot event, but on an individual volunteer basis.

June 17-18 - HALIFAX
SATURDAY display at Bankfield Museum (incorporating the Duke of Wellington's 33rd Foot Regimental Museum), Boothtown Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6HG
SUNDAY display at Shibden Hall, Lister’s Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6XG.

July 8 - BEIGHTON CARNIVAL
Event at Beighton Carnival, near Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Displays on SATURDAY only.

August 12-13- KELMARSH HALL
English Heritage Multi-period Event - Festival of History, at Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, NN6 9LT.
Displays SATURDAY & SUNDAY.

September 9-10 - BERWICK-ON-TWEED
Berwick Borough Museum Service event to mark the end of the Crimean War, and as part of a Victorian themed weekend, at locations around the town's well-preserved walls and fortifications.
Display SATURDAY & SUNDAY..

As you can see, quite a full event schedule. It has been very difficult fitting these events in between the main ACWS events. We had to turn down an event in Canada, however as it clashed with Stanford Hall, and it was a bit short notice. If anyone would like any more information, please do not hesitate to ask.

Mike Bussey
Crimean War Living History Co-ordinator
19th Foot (The Green Howard’s)
Members of the American Civil War Society

The above article first appeared in the ACWS Newsletter, Spring 2006