What is "Re-enactment"?

Re-enactment is a fast growing hobby in which the participants research, collect and wear the clothes and uniforms from different periods of history. This often involves much research into the customs and traditions of the period.

There are many groups of re-enactors up and down the UK as well as many abroad, re-enacting many periods of history, from Romans to the English Civil War, from the Dark Ages through to the Vietnam war and more modern conflicts. Each group has it's particular focus, some concentrate on "Living History" where they re-create the living conditions as exactly as possible, where others are content to amass a collection and exhibit it in a more museum like way, and eveything in between.

4 Commando are a group who are interested in the Second World War 1939-45. We collect the uniforms of the Army Commandos, a group of men who went that one stage further and after rigorous training took the fight to the enemy several years before the main invasion of Europe. We spend our weekends attending 1940's re-enactment events up and down the country, most often demonstrating and explaining about the uniforms and kit to the general public.

Why?

Well this is a hard one, first it's fun, we get to meet a lot of nice people, we drink a few beers and have a good time. Second it's interesting, researching the period, tracking down that tiny piece of treasure in car boot sales, antique shops and militaria fairs, provides many hours of enjoyment. And of course perhaps the most serious reason of all, to remember the men and women who lived and died during the Second World War.

--Tim Atkinson
4 Commando Re-enactment Group - July 2001