Formation
The 40th Regiment Living History Unit, which is part of The Colonial Re-Enactment Society Inc, based in Melbourne Australia, is a group of people dedicated to portraying the British Soldier of the 1850's in uniform,accoutrements and drill of the period.
The 40th was chosen as our military unit because of its long and distinguished service around the world, and the regiments tour of duty in Victoria -1852 - 1860. This gives us a British Reg't that was involved in Victoria's history at a time of growth and expansion owing to the discovery of gold, and the 40th's part in the Eureka Stockade.
Our unit has been formed with full sanction from the Queens Lancashire Regiment to re-activate the "Flank and 5th Company", and we are also an affiliated member of the Regimental Association of the Queens Lancashire Reg't.
Who we are
Our members comprise of office workers, tradesmen and ex service men. The ladies, who take on the roll of soldiers wives, camp followers, suttlers etc are working girls or housewives, some with children who also take part. All have a keen interest in History, Military or Civilian.
Uniform and Equipment
A lot of research hase been done to ensure that our uniforms, accoutrements etc are accurate as we expect a high standard from our members to do justice to any Living History event.
Information for all our uniforms and equipment has been supplied mainly by the Regimental Museum in England. All our Shako's, Forage Caps, Leather gear and Badges and Buttons have been made by members of the group. Some of the Uniforms, mainly Forage Jackets we made ourselves, most of the Dress Coatees we hade made-up by a tailor who we knew could make them to our specifications.
One item we could not make ourselves is our full size reproduction of the Regimental Colour. The original was presented to the 40th in India, in the early 1840's and was brought to Australia in 1852. Our reproduction is all embroidered and appliqued silk, six foot by six foot six inches as the original.
What we do
Our re-activated unit presents Re-Enactments and Living History displays, mounts Honour Guards or presents a Colour Party for special occasions using our Regimental Colour. We also attend Military Encampments where we camp under canvas and live for a short period of time as the old soldiers would have done. These camps are held privately and for the general puplic.
This is a picture of C/Sgt Terry Young and P Cox in Full Dress Uniforms and Forage Caps taken on one of our annual camps held at Taminick, in North East Victoria.
New Members
If you are interested in finding out more information on this group, or joining us, men or ladies, young or old you are more than welcome to contact us by sending an Email. The more members we have the bigger our presentations.
Email us
This page was produced April, 1997
Home managment by Terry Young
Page updated 6-1-2001