Great War Royal Engineers

Royal Engineer Officer

Having take part in the Warhorse 2014 Ride where I was required to ride as a Sapper Captain of a Royal Engineers Field Squadron, which was part of the Cavalry Division of 1914.

*Troop officer of RE Field Sqn of the Cavalry Division, August 1914*

While researching it became clear that there was changes in the uniform and equipment throughout the Great War so it was important to understand what was appropriate for each period of the war.

*Attending an event commemorating the Cavalry Charge at High Wood on the Somme 14 July 1916.*

*Kitted out as a Mounted Officer of the Canadian Engineers of Battle of Amiens August 1918*

Royal Engineer Soldier

Having been asked to help with a display at the Great War area of the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2017. this required the building of a MG Strongpoint/ Pillbox as part of the trench system

This was built over the 5 days of the show with all of the team dressed and equipped as Sappers and pioneers of the Royal Engineers.

To meet the requirements of I put together a uniform of a Warrant Officer of a Mounted Troop or Field Squadron Royal Engineers.

WW1 Yeomanry and Infantry

Derbyshire Yeomanry Warrant Officer Class2

The Derbyshire Yeomanry is the local unit to where I live and had detachments in the villages of Repton and Church Gresley. These units served in the UK, Middle East and Salonica. The Uniforms used are normal Service Dress and also Khaki Dress.

Sergeant 5th Seaforth Highlanders

*A visit into Fort George in 2019 to the Highlanders Museum*

All units of the British Army in the Great War relied on horses and mules to provide transport and to carry their stores. Having found some photos of some men from the Dornoch area serving with the 5th Seaforths I recreated the image for the Ex Highland Garron Ride. Kitted out as a later war Highland SNCO of the 5th Seaforths. The 5th Seaforths is also the Regiment that members of my family joined in both the First and Second World Wars,

WO2 5th North Staffordshire Regiment

I was asked to provide some Living History Support for the Army Staff Ride 2018. The ask was to be an Infantryman of the late war period. For this I created a Warrant Officer/Sergeant Major of the 5th North Staffordshires. I was kitted out with 1914 leather pattern equipment which was slightly different to the others who were equipped with 1908 Equipment.

My wife’s grandfather served with the 5th N. Staffs in the Great War.