One spin-off from the increased interest shown in the Napoleonic period is the multiplying number of conferences and fairs being held around the world. Those staged by the Napoleonic Association illustrate the popularity of such events, with a greater attendance at each meeting plus the practical involvement of more members. The conference of 2nd October 1993 had two lectures that illustrated the diversity of members' research interests.

Stephen Petty presented The Scum of the Earth - Myth or Reality?, using material from the Wellington Papers in Southampton University. We learnt of Wellington's views of British soldiers, and how he formulated his ideas of the duties of Company Officers whilst in India. He was emphatic that all officers should perform their duties and maintain discipline effectively. The paper looked at the role of non-commissioned officers in maintaining discipline, and the various problems encountered by Wellington whilst in the Peninsula; such as protection of the local inhabitants, prevention of plundering and robbery with violence, plus some rather perverse breaches of good conduct! Stephen Petty's presentation illustrated just how much there is still to study in depth about our period.

Mark Dennis used his knowledge of the Customs and Excise to present The Blue and The Green (a reference to the uniforms of the opposing sides). This paper examined the role, organisation and uniforms of the French and British Customs Services during the Napoleonic period. This is a subject about which very little is generally known, and the presentation certainly filled a gap in our knowledge. In Britain at the time there were approximately 1200 separate taxes, administered by the Excise Department, while the Customs Service had control of shipping. It was apparent that a large proportion of the population at the time were involved in smuggling in some way or another; either directly or as recipients of contraband. During the Napoleonic Wars even the City of London exported gold to France, and about a third of Britain's gross national product was being smuggled! Smuggling runs were performed on a large scale, with large fleets of vessels and up to 300 men on shore waiting to remove the casks of brandy or parcels of silk.

These are but two of the interesting and varied presentations to be experienced at a Napoleonic Association conference. In addition, a number of members displayed items from their collections. We saw displays of smugglingrelated material; photographs and maps of a holiday on (or should it be pilgrimage to) St.Helena.

The Austrian and German States Study Groups brought along selected books and prints to illustrate their work. A display of Napoleonic re-enactment photographs added colour to the tables, and the Publicity Section of the Association and the Nelson Society had publicity tables on view. On patrol and adding some authenticity to the occasion were smartly turned-out members of the 2nd Foot and the Bellerophon's Boat crew; appropriate units for this particular conference.

I hope that this summary of our last meeting has wetted your appetite for what will be an exciting season of conferences in 1994. Here is the timetable: Napoleonic Association Conference: Saturday 19th March at the National Army Museum, London. This will be a one day affair. The papers will be as follows: The Soldiers of the King: King Georqe's Foot Guards at War, 1808-1815, by Ian Fletcher. 1796 in Germany: The Forgotten Campaign, by Dave Hollins.

Between Misery and Glory: Everyday Life of the Common Soldier in the Armies of Napoleon, by Marcel Gerritsen. Admission is free to both Association members and any Napoleonic enthusiast who would like to attend. The meeting begins at 11.00am. For further information telephone 0582 24171, and leave your details on the answerphone. A full programme will be sent to you. Partizan Press Napoleonic Weekend: 9th/10th April at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London. A weekend of wargames and lectures. See the advertisement in this magazine for further details. The 1993 event was enjoyable and informative, and this meeting should prove just as worthwhile attending.

Napoleonic Fair

Many readers of this magazine will, no doubt, have attended this event held at The Royal National Hotel in London, on Sunday 6th February. The event was organised by Greenhill Books and Gallery Militaire, and brought together all aspects of the study of the Napoleonic period. Under one roof were seen re-enactors, wargames, books, prints, old newspapers, antiques, modelling materials; anything to do with the period and its study was there.

Indeed, I found that there were so many fellow enthusiasts to talk to (both old and new friends) and so many trade stands, that I did not get to see it all! The guests of honour at the fair were Baron Gourgaud (direct descendant of Napoleon's Chef d'Ordonnance) and David Chandler, who officially opened the event. The Napoleonic re-enactors were very much in evidence and many uniformed members of the Napoleonic Association and other groups added colour to the day's proceedings. Contingents from the 12th Light Dragoons (including two mounted troopers outside the hall), 42nd Foot (Pipe band), 7th Foot, 9th Foot, 68th Foot, 95th Rifles, 2leme de Ligne and 45eme de Ligne were all in evidence, standing sentry around the building and staging drill displays for the public's entertainment and education. Some formed part of a guard of honour for the presentation of an Award Plaque to David Chandler, to mark his acceptance of the post of Honorary President of the Napoleonic Association. Whatever your interests in the Napoleonic period, they were catered for by this Fair. This is an event that will hopefully be held annually.

The Dusty Archive

Conferences and Fairs
Austerlitz '95
Books
Museums
Period Forgeries