Fort Amherst

Napoleonic Newsdesk


That whiff of grapeshot has once again permeated the nostrils and aroused erstwhile “grognards” and “takers of the Kings Shilling” from their slumbers.

Many new friendships were made at Fort Amherst where the Napoleonic Association put on a joint display and re-enactment with the Murau Burgergarde from Styria. Our guests put on a colourful display of marching being uniformed as the Guard were in the period 1810-1830. Armed with vintage Russian Carbines they made a great impression on all those watching. Our thanks must be expressed to First Empire for sponsorship of the event, and the Anglo-Austrian Society for the introduction to our guests which has resulted in our being invited to make a return trip to Styria in the future. The re-enactment itself commenced with the French invaders apparently easily storming the lower fortifications. Success was short-lived though as a seemingly endless line of redcoats formed in a Highland Brigade of the 42nd and 71st lead the counter attack deploying into line with precision and advancing to the skirl of the pipe and drum.

If you have not yet visited Fort Amherst, you should take the opportunity as soon as you can. Near Chatham and dominating the Medway and Naval dockyards below, the works are by far the most extensive and well preserved Napoleonic fortifications in the country. Together with the Dockyard where the Victory was built, and now a maritime museum, it is well worth a weekend away.

The French were not to be outdone twice and Grimsthorpe estate was the scene of their revenge. Campaigning as veterans the 21eme and 46eme lured the British Brigade onto ground of their choosing and proved why a Commander should never divide his forces, destroying their enemy piecemeal. With the 1er Chasseurs a Cheval rounding up stragglers the estate was in French hands and the Castle appeared to be in a hopeless position.

Lady Willoughby Daresbury’s honour and her castle was saved in the nick of time by the 3rd Battalion, 1st Foot Guards who arrived to support the sorely pressed 9th Foot.

Events Diary

Waterloo 17th/18th June

Two late amendments to my article in Issue 22. On the Saturday evening ( 17th June ) there will be a “Spectacle nocturne, Son et Lumiere” on the Lion Mound starting at 2230hrs. Admission to this is 150bf, free for uniformed personnel. My statement last time that you wouldn’t need a ticket for the event was incorrect. Admission to see the Re-enactment is 200bf, 900bf if you want a seat in the “Tribune”.

Napoleonic Symposium - Saturday 24th June

This Napoleonic Study day has been organised by Greenhill Books. The venue is the Assembly Hall, Baden Powell House, Queens Gate, London.

The programme of talks detailed below will run from 1000am to 4.30pm, with a break for lunch at 1245.

    Ian Fletcher: British Sieges of the Peninsula war.

    Paul Chamberlain: French POW’s after Waterloo.

    Paddy Griffith: British Military Strategy and the Peninsula War - The deployment of Battalions

    Andrew Uffindel: Napoleon decision making during the Waterloo Campaign

    Richard Moore: The making of the Sharpe Series.

    Philip Elliot-Wright: A Comparison of British and French Cavalry performance 1808-1815

Fritton Lake - 1/2 July

This will take place at Fritton Lake Countryworld. This is a magnificent country park and estate with the backdrop of a huge lake in East Anglia.

On the A143 Fritton is close to Great Yarmouth. Apart from the scenery and pleasant surroundings Fritton Lake houses a permanent display of Birds of Prey, and the Heavy Horse stables are worth a visit.

The Napoleonic display will centre around a theme that the French have penetrated the Naval blockade of the Channel Ports and are at large; a threat which seemed only to real 200 years ago. A force has landed and taken Great Yarmouth. Is it a diversion, a raiding party, or a full scale invasion ? Panic has gripped the populace. The local militia, and yeomanry cannot cope. Will support arrive in time ?

Period camps, and arena displays will demonstrate life in the Napoleonic period, and there will be the opportunity to take part in some demonstration battles put on by the Napoleonic Association Wargames Division. The displays will conclude with a spectacular battle re-enactment at 3.30.

Boulogne 22/23 July

This recreation of Napoleon’s “Camp de Boulogne” is being arranged by the NA’s counterparts in France “La Grande Armee”. The event will feature period encampments and a battle re-enactment on the Poudriere on both days. The town of Boulogne often passed through is well worth a visit for the Napoleonic enthusiast with many places and items of interest.

Bosworth 29/30 July

Another excellent and picturesque site, the 1485 Battlefield in Leicestershire will be going Napoleonic for the weekend. As with Grimsthorpe we have the opportunity to mount a private campaign on the Saturday. Sunday 30th July will feature a full programme of Camps, Arena Displays, and battle. The public displays will run from 1pm to 5pm.

Overseas events

Chateauroux. Details were given for this in Issue 22. I have been advised that the date has been put back a week to the 9th/10th September.

Other details remain the same and re-enactors should note that there is an excellent chance that funding will be available for coaches. If you would like a free weekend break in the Loire valley area of France, contact me urgently to reserve a place.

Austerlitz. I have had sufficient interest in this trip - 1st / 3rd December to be able to go ahead. Details are awaited from our hosts and will be circulated to those who book as soon as available. Write to me to reserve your place.

If you would like further information on the Napoleonic Association, these events, or joining a re-enactment unit please write to me at 5 Thingwall Drive, Irby, Wirral, Merseyside L61 3XN

Mike Freeman - Chairman NA

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