Living History Groups and Re-enactment.

As part of my MA Photography course, my final major project was on the theme of remembrance and commemoration of our Glorious Dead, the casualties of the First (Great War) and Second World Wars. 

I have long been aware of the existence and intent of various 'living history groups', otherwise known as re-enactors, who attend various shows and museums to provide a living demonstration of various aspects of our military history and heritage, but not very well-informed of the set up and intent behind the groups. This page will be used to show some of my photographs from shows that I have visited.  

A few years ago I reconnected with an old friend, Paul, having lost contact several years previously. I discovered that he had become a very enthusiastic re-enactor and had amassed an impressive collection of uniforms and equipment, for example the uniforms of a Royal Canadian Air Force Warrant Officer, and a 'blue Marine' (ie non-Commando) Royal Marines Officer to name but two. His equipment included a genuine (and quite valuable / rare) deactivated WW2 Bren Gun, a paratroop-version US M1 carbine, Thompson and Sten sub machine guns, and pistols. We began to discuss how I (as a disabled photographer) could best become involved but the main group that Paul was involved with closed down, and a short while later Paul became ill, he became less active in the living history groups, and sadly he passed away in 2024, just a few short years after we had re-connected. His uniforms, deactivated and replica firearms and other equipment were all passed to another friend, so at least they are still being used.