The 68th Display Team is a non-profit making organization dedicated to furthering knowledge and understanding of the British soldier in the Napoleonic Wars. This is done through re­enactment, and since the founding in 1975 the society has grown to become one of Britain's premier 'living history' groups. The society's professional attitude, accuracy and attention to detail have also led to it being held in high regard abroad.

English Heritage have recognised the group's excellence in the field of 'living history' and for the past five years have commissioned them, exclusively, to stage the Wellington's Redcoats events. These involve a complete recreation of a tented encampment for the period.

All the displays are carried out in accurate reproductions of the uniforms and equipment for a soldier of the 68th in 1814. These costumes are constantly improved as more is discovered through research, a fact of which the society is very proud. The weapons used are exact replicas of the 'Brown Bess' flintlock musket of the time. All the drill movements and field manouevres carried out by the soldiers are taken from original manuals.

Within the past three years, the society has begun to develop its work outside these displays moving into the area of education within the National Curriculum framework. Many of the members have adopted first person interpretation techniques for this work; this involves adopting a complete character from the year 1814 and living it in front of the children. The characters focus on social history and emphasise the impact of national events on people's every day lives. All the soldiers' experiences, stories and actions have been researched in great depth. This has proved to be a highly successful teaching method as the children actively enjoy the learning process.

The society now produces its own educational and interprative material to further extend their educational work and enhance their public displays.

For further information about the society and its activities, please contact: Alison Roddham, Publicity Officer, 68th Display Team, 1 Golden Noble Hill, Colchester, Essex CO1 2AG.