What You Will Need

NOTE

When getting started with the impression, we suggest getting items in a certain order, this is purely a guide line. It is your hobby you have the choice. The basic role for the group is at the rank of Private (Pte) with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. If you are interested in another impression or specific role or rank (e.g. Bren Gunner, PIAT gunner, FFI, ATS etc) then please let us know in your message to the group.

Please do not attend events with any medals attached to your uniform unless you have earned them. If you are a current or ex member of the armed services and have been awarded medals, then please let us know when you contact us.

Our group strives for accuracy in it's impression, avoiding pieces of uniform that were uncommon or just unused all together. If you have a piece of equipment that has not been listed on this website or you are not sure about please contact us before using it at an event.

Basic Impression

The first items we recommend for your basic impression is what's called your walking out impression. This consist of:

1- General Service (GS) Cap with Royal Warwickshire Regiment Cap Badge

2- Scrim camouflage scarf

3- 37 or 40 Pattern Battledress (BD) Blouse

4- 37 Pattern Webbing Belt

5- 37 or 40 Pattern Battledress (BD) trousers

6- 37 Pattern Webbing Gaiters

7- Studded 'Ammo' Boots

BD wise, 37 Pattern or 40 Pattern is acceptable and we request that all webbing (gaiters, belt etc) is covered with Blanco (either original KG3 Blanco or bottled Soldier of Fortune Blanco). Brasses are required to be clean but not shined.

If an event requires boots and brasses to be polished (e.g. A parade) you will be informed beforehand.

The reason we recommend these items first is that it means you have everything you need to wear on the re-enactment stand, it means you can attend parades and we can lend you the parts you need for battles and/ or a battlefield impression. Once you have the basics you can then start working on your advanced impression (see the section with the same name on this website) which includes your gear for a front line infantrymans impression.For advice on where to pick the items you need to get started, head to the contact page to see the different ways to get in touch or head to our recommended supplier page.

Event Provisions

When attending events, we always recommend a few bits of kit to make sure you are able to get a decent nights sleep at a show. If you are missing anything but still want to attend then contact us beforehand and we will try and find you items to borrow. However we recommend getting these items as soon as possible:

Tent: Ideally a period pup tent as a good starter, small but able to fit you plus kit in over night. Obviously modern tents (plastic, polyester etc that are clearly not from the WW2 era) are not permitted on the stand, these will have to be put up at an events 'modern campsite' which may charge you for the use. Larger tents are permitted (officer tents for example) but you will need to be able to put it up and take it down by yourself if necessary in the unlikely eventuality that you are by yourself on the stand.

Bed: Camp beds and sleeping bags do NOT need to be period issue as they will be hidden in the tent on the stand during the day.

Food & Drink: Water is usually available at events and there are quite often food vendors but it is always better to have food with you just in case. Beer is recommended but optional... We also recommend eating utensils, which may or may not be part of your impression (i.e. mess tins & KFS (Knife, Fork & Spoon set) and an essential is your tin mug for a brew!

Example of a display with pup tents to the right

Brew up!