What is the time commitment going to be?
How do I get my uniform and kit?
I'm not located near Detroit or Hamilton, can I still join?
Do I get to wear a red coat and fire a gun?
Do I need special training or a license? (CDN)
Is the 41st Regiment a historically "real" group or is it just one for reenacting?
I'm a female and I'd love to join, but I want to be in the field as a soldier. Is this possible?
I do not think my family would be interested in this; can I join as an individual?
What happens at a weekend event?
How much do we get paid for this?
I don't see my question on this FAQ! Where can I get the information?
Question: How much will this cost?
Answer: To be properly kitted out with tentage, uniform, accoutrements and
musket the total cost is between $2,000 and $3,000, with the largest expense
being the Brown Bess reproduction musket. Do not be overwhelmed by the
large cost. We have loaner muskets and some loaner kit to help new recruits
with the initial expense and to ease into the hobby.
There is also a small annual fee for all members that covers our administration
costs and insurance for our season.
Question: What is the time commitment going to be?
Answer: We have some basic required commitments and then it becomes
optional after that.
Required is attendance at 3 mandatory weekend events per season and our
Annual General Meeting. The events are chosen by the membership at the
annual meeting.
Also available to you will be additional sanctioned events and drills to
fine-tune
our skills. You will find that we love what we do and try to do as much
as we
can in a season but also keeping in mind that we all have lives outside
of reenacting.
It is also important to attend regular drill sessions to improve your marching
skills.
Question: How do I get my uniform and kit?
Answer: We have developed a network of suppliers and we will help putting
you in touch with these businesses balancing affordable cost with historical
accuracy.
Question: I'm not located near Detroit or Hamilton, can I still join?
Answer: Yes! While it is ideal to be able to easily drive to join our companies
for events, drills and meetings, we do have membership as far away as Ottawa
and Winnipeg.
Question: How hard is it to learn to be a British soldier? Should I have
a
military background? Do I need to be a historian?
Answer: There is no way around it; you will have to learn the British
military drill
for the period. Don’t panic, we drill through the off season, our NCO’s
give the recruits extra time and tutoring at events
and we will make sure that you are safe and comfortable before going onto
the battlefield at an event.
We are proud of the fact that we have
some Canadian Armed Forces regulars
in our ranks but there is no need or
advantage to having a military background
(our drill and timing is so different,
military training might even be a
disadvantage!)
A love of history helps but an in depth
knowledge of the history is not required.
Our membership comes from a variety of
backgrounds, everything from
University Professors, Salesmen, Engineers,
Soldiers to Truck Drivers. Some
of our membership stick to the life in
the camp and the tacticals while others
get quite involved interacting with the
public and interpreting the history of
the
period and the conflict. This is up to
you and your level of comfort.
Question: Do I get to wear a red coat
and fire a gun?
Answer: Yes! The 41st Regiment of Foot
MLHG is a re-created unit of British
Army regulars. We portray a line company;
that is we are in the middle of the
heavy fighting. With our careful training
and qualification, you will be taught
to
handle a flintlock musket safely (never
call it a gun or rifle!) and fire with
black
powder cartridges.
Question: Do I need special training
or a license? (CDN)
Answer: Canadian law says that on antique
(or antique reproduction) flint-lock
firearms, no standard FAC (Firearms Acquisition
Certificate... which is being
phased out in favour of the Possession
and Acquisition License) is required.
Training you on the use and safety of
your flintlock (Brown Bess) will be done
by
the 41st Regiment at our drills and,
if possible, at some events.
Question:
Is the
41st Regiment
a historically "real" group
or is
it just
one for
reenacting?
Answer: Definitely YES! The original
41st Regiment of Foot played a critical
role
in the history and defence of Canada.
The 41st made up the majority of the
British regulars who were in Canada at
the outbreak of hostilities in 1812.
The
41st participated in famous battles such
as Detroit, Queenston Heights,
Lundy’s
Lane and
Fort Erie.
The 41st
Regiment won
more battle
honours in
the war (Detroit, Queenstown, Miami and
Niagara) than any other British
regiment. We have a page devoted to the
early history of the unit which you can
view
in the “history” section
of our
website.
Question: I'm not really sure if I want
to join up and would like more information.
What's my best way to learn more?
Answer: Contact us! We can come and visit
with you to further discuss our
group and the hobby in general. We would
be happy to show you a flintlock
musket, the uniform and some of the kit
and accoutrements.
We also would be happy to invite you
to join us at one of our winter drills,
one of
our garrison events (at Fort George,
Fort Malden or Fort Erie) or at an event.
There are many options to explore and
we love to talk about our hobby!
Question: I'm a female and I'd love to
join, but I want to be in the field as
a
soldier. Is this possible?
Answer: We are sorry but as a group we strive
for historical accuracy and no women
served as soldiers in the British army
during this time period. You are more
than welcome to join us as part of a
family or a couple. We do have women
who act as camp followers and accompany
us to events.
If you wish to be a soldier, we can direct
you to some groups that do accept
females as soldiers.
Question: Can my family attend events?
Answer: Yes! We have families that regularly attend events. Children are as a part of an encampment as the adults! It's a great "community" for
families to share and enjoy.
Question: I do not think my family would
be interested in this; can I join as
an
individual?
Answer: Yes! Some of our members go to
events as families or couples but many will attend as only soldiers.
Question: What happens at a weekend event?
Answer: Normally we arrive at the site
on Friday evening and set up our tent
line. Once our camp is set up, we will
change in period dress and strive to
live
“in period” for the remainder of the weekend.
Some sites will provide meals, usually breakfast and on occasion a Saturday
dinner. We are also fortunate in having several individuals that are excellent
at cooking period recipes over an open fire.
There are times that we will all
contribute a small amount of cash to
cover the groceries for our camp kitchen
for a weekend.
The normal flow of a weekend includes
morning drill (sometimes both
company and battalion), an afternoon
battle, often an evening battle and then
on the Sunday another afternoon battle.
There is usually a lot of free time for
shopping at the sutlers, socializing
and
relaxing!
Question: How much do we get paid for this?
Question: How do I obtain rank?
Answer: Rank is earned through participation, above and beyond support of the unit, knowledge and leadership.
Question: I don't see my question on this FAQ! Where can I get the information?
Answer: Contact us! Email or call and we will happy to answer any questions
or set up a meeting.