A short history of The Diehard company
“Ere’s to the Sons of the Widow” Kipling
In 1993 a small group of dedicated but
naïve people decided on a journey with the aim of setting up a living history
unit for the first time recreating the life and activities of the Victorian
infantryman. This dream had long been thought about by Col. Peter Walton of the
Victorian Military Society, but had been nothing more than that pipedream. As
the result of various correspondence 7 new recruits assembled in the pouring
rain [ever the re-enactor’s introduction to the business!] at Bisley to see what
could be achieved.
A disparate group, some with previous experience in Soskan or with the Portsdown
Artillery Volunteers but others with no background in re-enactment but all
gelled together with a common love of the period. A regiment was chosen – the
Middlesex for a number of reasons – no one actually came from there so we didn’t
have the “I live in that county I want to do that unit” syndrome and in reality
the Middlesex represented the real life of the soldier – serving in the Crimea,
Indian Mutiny, New Zealand, Zululand and the Boer War as well as garrison duties
across the Empire – not just a one battle unit! They like so many other County
Line Regiments were the Victorian Army. We approached the Regimental Association
before we badged up and were delighted with both their response and the
continuing support they have shown in the unit.
A decision also taken to portray home service – active service wasn’t an option
– we accepted we had no enemies out there so it was the best way forward to
portray what the Victorian taxpayer in Britain would have seen of their Army. We
wanted to use Martinis as the archetypal Victorian weapons – so that timebound
the unit to between 1874 and about 1890 and we settled on 1882 equipment and
post 1881 frocks for the uniform.
We also felt we should “network” but our attempts were met with a lack of
sharing our vision - we were told that the unit was too small, no one would be
interested in the period and that we wouldn’t last a season when we applied to
affiliate to one larger representative body. That didn’t put us off – we
believed in ourselves and if anything it made us more determined.
Supported by English Heritage who guaranteed us a number of events – and we
count both Howard Giles and Alan Larsen amongst some of the unit’s staunchest
believers – we rapidly immersed ourselves in what that actually meant. We had to
do something, events were not just a stand round looking pretty thing, so drill,
drill and more drill.
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We acquired things – tents, signalling equipment, medical kit and soon found
that what we had was starting to beat most military museums stuff! Other started
to join and share their enthusiasm, resources and most of all attitude. Our
first event for English Heritage – and a good all round reception from both
sponsor, public and most importantly other re-enactors.
And so the story goes on – as we track throughout the 10 years of the group’s
existence there are like all groups high and low points, but the rate at which
we have come at times even astonishes us. Some of the highlights:
1994 – our first brush with the Zulu – working on Cromwell Videos
production of Rorkes Drift – still haunting us on the History Channel in various
repackagings!
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1997 – the Centenary of Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee – a week long series of events –[during the wettest June on record] including field manouveures on Salisbury Plain, presentation of medals on the steps of St. Paul’s by the Lord Mayor of London and all in the company of re-enactors from Canada, Australia, Malta as well as our fellow UK based units. Topped of by our first taste of foreign service – 2 weeks garrisoning Malta for the Maltese government – not always in period – I don’t think any other regiment was billeted in a Radison SAS 5 star hotel!
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1998 – Albuhera Day – the only chance to date for all us badged as
Middlesex to remember the Regiment – a wonderful weekend without any politics
where the Company, the GWS, Dickie Knight’s Machine gunners and the present
Regiment stood together for the Regimental Association – a true show of
regimental pride and the way ahead for re-enactors. We still fly with pride the
Regimental Flag presented to us on that day by Brig. Pielow with pride over our
tent lines.
1999 – we didn’t think it could get better then it did. Firstly the trip
abroad – 35 men off to South Africa for
2 ½ weeks to face the Zulu. Hasty rekitting but all to the normal high standards of the unit and a film crew in
tow 24/7. A lot of stress but lots of joy, a whole new continent opened up to
re-enactment and the publicity! Followed up by our decision to commemorate the
Boer War of 1899 to 1902 – reequipping with KD, bolt action rifles and yet more
equipment for October and the start of 4 years “conflict” with our Boer enemies.
A further trip to SA for three of the unit as drill instructors to the Dundee
Diehards. Oh and a small matter of the presentation of the Colours for 3 PWRR as
well.
2001 – the screening on Channel 5 of “Zulu the Warriors return” – 1.5
million people saw this remarkable documentary of our trip to Zululand – images
that talked to re-enactors about themselves not just as “background” to the
historic events.
2002 – More “active service” at least for a number of the Company – as
part of the military extras and advisers o the Four Feathers film – our Sergeant
did the whole of it, others stood in the square for a month on location and many
more took part in filming round the UK.
And on we go – after 10 years we have brought the Victorian soldier alive in one
way or another to a conservative estimate of over 2 million people in the UK –
have brought alive museum cabinets and paintings and hopefully met our aim of
educating in some way people about our past.
The future – well still going strong, with our newest addition a
fledgling number three section in the United States – in the words of the
Regimental song :
“There’s none can compare to the Jolly Diehards”.
By Tim Rose (October 2003)