The Wiltshires in The Great War

17/05/2026

Want to get into ww1 british reenactment but don't know where to start? GOOD NEWS! The Wiltshires are recruiting and have within our stores a multitude of kit. Everything from uniforms and weapons to boots and puttees, we have you covered. Please do drop us a message if you'd like to join the ranks and we would be pleased to help you out. We look forward to hearing from you

16/05/2026

We've had a spectacular day supporting the official reopening of The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum. Working alongside our good friends in The Great War Society, we put out a fantastic display of kit which was really well received by the dignitaries and VIP's. Thank you to Bethany Shelley and the team for having us along

10/05/2026

Yesterday, Nick and Jake had the pleasure of attending a study day: "Now You've Got the Khaki On" - Getting to grips with Great War soldiers' kit at Great War Huts in Suffolk.

From exploring British uniforms and equipment, to getting hands on and practical assembling some webbing, practicing some foot/rifle drill and elements of musketry; it was great to go back to basics and to properly learn and understand how uniform, equipment, weapons, and items of personal kit were designed, issued, and used on campaign.

Taff, Lyndsey, Kev and the team’s approach gave a really insightful and refreshing experience naught into the subject. Suffice to say it’s given us plenty to think about, not only how we wear and use the equipment, but how we present the subject to our audience. A massive thank you from us for what was such a fun and flawless day.

02/05/2026

And that's work completed on the groups second vickers gun. Had some work to do on this one including finding an original feed block and rear sight then getting them to fit. Many hours later and it's now ready to display. Still have some work to do on its tripod so for the time being it'll be mounted on the other one. Pretty happy with how it's turned out though

21/04/2026

Another newly finished display piece for the Wiltshires. Communications were a life line during the great war and we now have a lovely example of a period field telephone to go out on display. We are continually collecting period artifacts to display to enable us to effectively tell the stories of those who served.

19/04/2026

We’ve had a fantastic weekend at the International Living History Festival, Royal Gunpowder Mills in Essex. It’s always a pleasure to support the Great War Society and as ever we are very grateful for their hospitality.

This weekend saw us represent soldiers of the 6th Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment in 1917.

14/03/2026

We’ve had a fantastic day supporting the village of Ramsbury commemorate 100 years since the opening of its Memorial Hall and the unveiling of its war memorial in March 1926.

As well putting on a small display of our connection to the Wiltshire regiment, we also provided a small guard of honour as part of a service in re-dedication of the war memorial itself. Perpetuating the memory of the men from Wiltshire who laid down their lives during the Great War is central to our motivation in what we do and today it was a privilege to take the time to remember some of them.

09/03/2026

Did you know that the regimental nickname for the 1st Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment, during its days as the 62nd Foot was the “Moonrakers”?

This colloquial name, referring to people from Wiltshire, originates from a folk tale dating back to sometime in the 18th century. While there are a number of versions, legend has it that a band of smugglers somewhere in the county had hidden a number of barrels of French brandy from local customs officers in their village pond.

On a moonlit night, the revenue men happened upon these smugglers who were in the act of trying to fish these barrels out of the pond with rakes. When questioned as to what they were doing, playing dumb the smugglers pointed to the moon’s reflection explaining that they were simply trying to fish out a wheel of cheese. Laughing at their explanation, the revenue men assumed the smugglers to be local simpletons and rode on their way!

When the regiment amalgamated with the 99th Duke of Edinburgh’s (Lanarkshire) regiment of foot to become the Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment) in 1881; the regimental traditions were still central to the identity of the regiment, including this peculiar nickname. This postcard from the Great War harks back to the Moonraker name, illustrating a soldier of the Wiltshire regiment seen to be raking the moon with the Kaisers face and on it.

If you are interested in the history of the Wiltshire regiment during the Great War and are looking to get into living history then get in contact!

07/03/2026

The Wiltshires now have a new addition to their armoury. Very nearly show ready but on the whole very pleased and we shall look forward to putting it out on display this year

03/03/2026