A little bit about us
The Royal Foot Artillery is a group of Artillery enthusiasts that volunteer to meet on the first Sunday of every month at Fort Amherst in Chatham, 
to practice in gun and foot drill. The Artillery of the Napoleonic wars had to be very versatile and doubled as Infantry at times such as if the guns were out of action. Drill has always remained an important part of military exercise to manoeuvre the troops and guns into the required positions on a battle field. Tactics and drills are taught using original sources. Amongst our crew are females who help to re-create the life of the camp. Their role is to support the men's needs and to tend to the sick and wounded.
The costumes like all other aspects of the regiment, are thouhly researched. The men wear the 1812-1815 regulation dress. The headdress is the Belgic shako, forage cap or the Stovepipe shako. The stovepipe shako was of the previous fashion but it took time to replace the men with new equipment at the time especially when a unit was posted abroad for active service. The men wear white breeches with knee length gaiters around their feet. On their sides whty wear the breadbad which is sued for the individuals personal belongings and their rations. A canteen for water and a broad sword was hung on their side. Some of the men carry a cartridge pouch to store ammunition for his personal weapon a Carbine. The Carbine is a small flintlock gun. It is a smaller version of the musket carried by the Infantry. The men also wear authentic shoes of the time; made to fit either foot to evenly wear.
The women wear a leather stay over their garments and an apron, which saw numerous purposes. Firstly the apron would protect their clothing in the chores but could also double as a bandage or compress in treating the wounded.
Our guns consist of 3,6, and 9 'pounder, reproduction cannon fitted on a variety of carriages of the time. We also fire a 24pnr gun on a garrison carriage at our base in Fort Amherst, overlooking the town of Chatham. They are all smooth bored, (without rifling) and Breech loading. Being a re-enacting regiment of artillery we only fire blank charges a relief to the local towns folk. Originally the artillery would have had a variety of ammunition for different targets. When firing upon a ship, 'Chain shot' or 'bar shot' would have been used to rip the masts and disable the ship from sailing (there was no motors at this time leaving them sitting ducks). Next a heated solid cannon ball would have been fired to embed itself into the timbres of the ship which if un-noticed would have caused a fire. With the heavy bombardment from the Artillery the ships would be sunk.
When on the battlefield, 'Round shot', 'Grape shot' or 'Shrapnel' would have been used. Grape shot was in effect a tin of musket balls thato when fired over the enemy would disperse. Sharpnel was a hollow iron ball packed with explosives with a fuse, which a trained gun crew could explode over the enemy showering them with pieces of iron. The gun cariages differe in the sence that a fortification where a gun is stasionary would be mounted on a garrison carriage with small trucks or wheels. This was not easily transported due to the size and design. In a field a gun was mounted on a field carriage for maneuvering. Horses would have transported the gun and carriage attached to 'Limbre'
Though out the year we are invited to give static displays all over Europe and to participate in the re-enactment of historical battles of the time. The Artillery is also hired for weddings and other ceremonies. At weddings the Bride and Groom can fire the cannon under the supervision of the unit. (The Artillery makes all the preparations to ensure the maximum safety.)
After public performances, the men enjoy a semi-authentic camp to mingle with other re-enactors or find a good pub where new friends can be made. And of course if he happens to be French, there is the benefit that you may be shooting each other the next time that you meet.
Our regiment is one of the oldest re-enactment groups around and as such we have pioneered most of the safty proceedures that most units use. We insist in the safe practice of firing and pride ourselves on our unblemished record of having not a single accident. Due to the Gun laws, all men must own a shot gun license and a black powder license. Officers in charge of the guns must also have a Firearms license. Interested in joining? Contact us using the contact form and we will be pleased to welcome you on board.
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