Recruitment and Publicity Officer & (New Member Enquiries)
Colin Porter
Email: recruitment@2ndfoot.org.uk

RECRUITMENT

"Wanted - Brisk lads, light and straight, and by no means gummy: not under 5 feet 5½ inches, or over 5 feet 9 inches in height. Liberal bounty, good uniforms, generous pay! Step lively lads and come in while there is time."

So recalls a contemporary recruiting poster.

But we do not require you to be like this; all you need is to be interested in the Peninsular and Napoleonic Wars, be prepared to take on your chosen role of Officer/Ensign, Soldier, Drummer/Fifer, Camp Follower or Lady, and be prepared to have fun.

In a full strength Battalion there exists 10 companies. One Light, one Grenadier and eight Centre/Battalion Companies.

CURRENT POSITIONS

Light Company

The light company traditionally embarked on skirmishing in battle, picking off officers and NCO's, causing confusion amongst enemy ranks. By the Napoleonic Wars it was often used as another heavy element of the Batallion. The light company was the 2nd Flank Company of any Regiment. The uniform differs slightly from the other companies, but most noticeably wings on the shoulders and a green plume on the shako.

Centre/Battalion Company

The centre company makes up the bulk of the regiment and was traditionally used as the heavy elements of the regiment. Most new recruits start out in the Centre Company. The Centre Company is characterised as having tuffs on the shoulders and a white over red plume on the shako.

Grenadier Company

The Grenadier Company is the 1st Flank Company of the Regiment. it was traditionally made up of the most experienced, tallest and strongest of rank and file. The Grenadiers once used and carried grenades to destroy fortifications etc. However, by the Napoleonic wars stood in close ranks like the Centre Companies. They were often used as the shock troops of a Battalion. The Grenadier Company is characterised by wings on the shoulders and a white plume. On parade Grenadiers wear the bearskin.

WHAT DO I NEED?

You will need to wear reproduction period clothing for the role you are portraying. We expect members to obtain their own kit, however, we provide you with all the help you need. If you intend to be a soldier, besides your uniform you will need to obtain a shotgun licence and an explosives licence, depending on your local constabulary. These will allow you to carry a musket and be issued with cartridges.

However, we do not expect you to pay for your uniform all at once; where possible we can lend you equipment until you can aquire your own. For those who are good at sewing, we can supply patterns so that you can make your own uniforms. Alternatively, there is sometimes some secondhand equipment on the market which will cut costs dramatically.

We are always on the lookout for new suppliers, so if you are good at sewing or leatherwork you can also make items of equipment to sell to other members.

Many of our ladies make their own dresses, after researching contemporary patterns. But period dresses can also be bought from various suppliers, or obtained at re-enactors' fairs.