Text Box: Joining Steve Day: Rifleman Text Box: Hi, I’m Steve and I started re-enacting with the 95th Rifles from May 2004, and already they’ve started calling me an old hand, although this could be a reference to my aging years. Like most people that joined about the same time as me, my interest was peaked by watching the Sharpe films (what a guy) and then reading the Sharpe novels (even better). I was humbled by the gritty lifestyle, extreme dangers, the harshness of the service, and the deprivations that these soldiers had to endure. I started to read more books and enjoyed a number of battlefield tours and living history events, and soon realised that I’d like to experience re-enacting for myself. So why the Rifles? There were many fine regiments that served in the Peninsular Wars, both British, French and allied troops, but only the 95th Rifles would do for me. Their uniforms, weapons, and tactics were different from the rest of the British line regiments, they were specialist troops, trained as marksmen that advanced ahead of the army and protected the rear when in retreat. Unlike our red coated comrades, the Rifles moved fast, using all available cover and their initiative to take advantage of any situation to outwit the enemy. The Rifles could be considered the founding fathers for the modern infantry. Being in a rifles re-enactment group is not easy; you carry a lot of equipment and march at a fast pace or on the run, and some events can seem like a workout down the gym. Which re-enactment group to join? There are a number of Rifle re-enactment groups out there, and most are very good. I had a chance to Text Box: Overview Text Box: FAQ Text Box: Profiles Text Box: Contact

Steve Day

Rifleman
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Suze Britton

Camp Follower