1                Aim:

 

The aim of these standing orders is to assist in the smooth and fluid operation of the Royal Scots both on and off the field.

 

2                Objectives:

 

2.1                            To raise and equip a re-enactment unit consisting of a company of Light Infantry for the purpose of staging parade, drill, camp, and battle demonstrations.

 

2.2                            To be able to set up and staff a company camp which will be representative of regular military camps of the period, circa 1812.

 

2.3                            To foster historical research into all aspects of warfare and lifestyle during the War of 1812.

 

2.4                            To provide a resource which may be used in the education of the public in all aspects of the War of 1812.

 

3                General Operating Principles:

 

The Royal Scots is a sub-unit of the Upper Thames Military Re-enactment Society.

 

3.1                            Organization:

 

The unit will consist of a company-sized formation of light infantry.  There will also be a number of soldiers’ wives, children, and campfollowers.

 

The campfollowers will belong to the company in which they are planning to serve.  As such, they will have all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of any other member of that company.

 

                                    See Appendix I for details

 

3.2                            Command and Control:

 

The organization will operate along regimental lines and follow a military chain of command.

 

 

 

 

3.3                            Promotions and Appointments:

 

The Executive of the Upper Thames Military Re-enactment Society will appoint the Commanding Officer.

 

Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) are those that have a rank of Sergeant or higher.  A ‘Chosen Man’ or a Corporal is not considered to be an NCO.

 

The Commanding Officer will make all appointments and promotions within the Company.

 

All promotions will be based upon the advice and the recommendation of the Promotion Board.

 

The Promotion Board will be composed of the Commanding Officer, the existing NCOs and full Corporals of the Company.

 

By the ancient tradition of the Service, the man promoted to Second-in-Command (2IC) should be viewed as the most likely candidate for the next Commanding Officer.

 

3.4                            Duties and Responsibilities:

 

See Appendix II for details.

 

3.5                            Recruiting:

 

Although the majority of the members of the actual 1st Regiment of Foot came from the United Kingdom, every effort will be made to accommodate recruits of all races, creeds, colours, and physical abilities.

 

3.6                            Training:

 

Members will not be allowed to participate in drill sessions with the company unless they are attired in the uniform ordered for that particular drill parade.

 

The dill manual used by the regiment will be an “Abstract of the Rules & Regulations for the Formation, Manoeuvre, and Field Exercises of his Majesty’s Forces for the NCO’s of the Army” 1811.

The drill manual used for the movement of the light infantry will be “A Practical Guide for the Light Infantry Officer” by Captain T.H. Cooper.

 

Additional instructions will be published to cover sections of the above-mentioned manual that prove to be ambiguous.

 

3.7                            Safety:

 

All members wishing to demonstrate firearms must first satisfy the Safety Officer of U.T.M.R.S. of their ability.

 

The Royal Scots will comply with any published safety regulations in effect at re-enactments hosted by other organizations and attended by members of the regiment.

 

See Appendix VI for details.

 

3.8                            Living History Displays:

 

Within the limits of practicality, safety, and appropriateness, the Company (soldiers and families) will attempt to camp and dress in a historically correct manner.  The intent is to provide the members with a unique camping experience as well as make an educational presentation to the public.

 

 See Appendix III and IV for equipment/uniform and clothing regulations.

 

See appendix V for camp layout regulations

 

Members shall make every effort while in the period camp to hide modern conveniences and necessities from both themselves and the public to ensure a “historical look and feel” to the camp.

 

Wherever possible, members will perform activities appropriate to the military camping situation and/or vignette in progress.

 

Members are encouraged to behave in a “period” manner for the duration of the public hours of an event.

 

Members should remember that living history well done presents a tremendous public relations opportunity for the organization as a whole.

           

3.9                            Social Events:

 

At Social events, all persons are encouraged to dress as gentlemen and ladies.  Privates, etcetera in the Regiment may dress as officers provided they do not dress as an officer of the Royal Scots that is senior to the Commanding Officer of the Company.

 

The guests of Honour at regimental social functions will be given the deference and respect accorded to General Officers.

 

At social events it is expected that couples be socially matched.  For example, a private soldier would not come to a ball as the escort of a duchess.

 

3.10                    Code of Conduct:

 

During public hours at a display or event all members will demonstrate the proper deference, respect, and military courtesies appropriate to the rank of any member present, superior or inferior regardless of the Regiment, Corps or Service (see Appendix VII).

 

 

                                                            Mark Dickerson

                                                           

                                    Officer Commanding, Royal Scots

 


Appendix I

Battalion Organization:

1                                        Light Company:

 

- Company Commander                                   - Captain                            (1)

-  Sergeant                                                       - Sergeant*                        (2)

- Corporal                                                        - Corporal*                        (2)

- Chosen Man                                                  - Chosen man                     (?)

- Rank and File                                     - Private                             (?)

*-Provided the company is large enough to support this many positions at the CO’s discretion and maybe revised as needed.

 

2                                        Camp followers and Civilians:

 

- Officers’ Wives                                              - Civilians                            (1)

- Soldiers’ Wives                                              - Civilians                            (?)

- Soldiers’ Children                                          - Civilians                            (?)

- Civilians                                                         - Civilians                            (?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 Appendix II

Duties and Responsibilities of Each Position and Rank:

 

1                      Commanding Officer                                                                 - Captain

 

1.1                            The Senior Officer is the Commanding Officer and as such has the overall responsibility to the executive of the U.T.M.R.S. for everything the Company does.  The Commanding Officer has the responsibility of keeping the executive informed as to the current capabilities of the Company.

 

1.2                            On the field, the Commanding Officer commands the Company.

 

1.3                            The Commanding Officer is responsible for the safety of every NCO and man in the Company.

 

2                      The Senior NCO                                                                      -Sergeant

 

2.1                            The Senior NCO is responsible for the dress, deportment, discipline and drill of the men in the Company.  Specifically, he should teach the men the wheeling and firing of sections and of the Company.  In addition, he is responsible for the deportment and training of the Corporals in the Company.

 

2.2                            As second in command, he must be capable of commanding the Company on the field and in camp.

 

2.3                            As covering Sergeant, he will assist the officer in his general duties.

 

2.4                            On the field during battle drills, the Senior NCO will fall back into the supernumerary rank for the purpose of supervising safety procedures and dealing with problems that may arise during the course of the battle drill.

 

2.5                            On the field during parades, the Senior NCO will take his place as covering Sergeant with his Officer consistent with established drills and procedures.

 

 

 

 

3                      Corporals                                                                                 - Corporal

 

3.1                            In general, Corporals command their sections.  They are responsible for the dress, drill, deportment, and discipline of their men.  They will command fatigue parties, guards, and pickets.

 

3.2                            Corporals are responsible for the training of their section during exercises

 

3.3                            During battle drills and parades, the Corporals are the flanks of the sections.  They provide the steadiness of cadence, pace and direction without which the maneuvers of the Company would become chaos.

 

4                      Chosen Men                                                                             - Chosen Man

 

4.1                            Chosen Men assist their Corporals in the performance of their duties primarily with the object of becoming Corporals in their own right.

 

4.2                            Chosen Man is an appointment rather than a rank.  As such, the Chosen Man does not normally hold any command authority unless designated by an Officer or NCO for a specific task.

 

4.3                            Corporals and Chosen Men should lead the men by example in the neatness of their clothing, arms and accoutrements.  They should be prompt in falling-in and following orders that the men might follow their example.

 

5                      Rank and File                                                                           - Private

 

5.1                            The Privates of the Company are the single most important element as living history displays would be impossible without them.

 

5.2                            The Privates are responsible to the Officers and NCO’s under whom they serve and must be prepared and capable of portraying their role at living history displays.

 

6                      Soldiers’ Wives                                                                                               

 

6.1                            Soldiers’ Wives are an integral part of the Company.  The Company, historically, was officially allowed six (6) wives and their children.  However, as many women as are willing are welcomed to play unofficial wives of the Company.

 

6.2                            In the field, Soldiers’ Wives are to stay to the rear.  They would come forward after the battle to look for their husbands and to care for the wounded.

 

6.3                            In camp, the Soldiers’ Wives may cook for their husbands and children, act as the Company’s washerwomen and seamstresses, and take care of their children.

 

7                      Soldiers’ Children

                       

7.1                            As with Soldiers’ Wives, Soldiers’ Children were present in the field with the Company.  As such, they are expected to dress and behave in a manner appropriate to the period and the rank and social status of their parents.

 

7.2                            Children will be encouraged to take part in the re-enactments, playing period games, and watching and mimicking the drills.

 

7.3                            Children are wholly the responsibility of their respective parents, specifically in the areas of behaviour and dress.

 

8                      Officers’ Wives

 

8.1                            Approximately twenty-five percent of the British Officers had their wives and families with them.  It appears that the vast majority of them stayed behind in Quebec City, Montreal or Halifax.  As a result, their presence on the field is the exception rather than the rule.

 

8.2                            Officers’ Wives played an important role in the social events of the Regiment.  It was the early 1800’s and a woman’s status was determined by the status of her husband.  As a result, there was a rough chain of command amongst the females associated with the Regiment.  Therefore, the colonel’s wife would hold precedence over the major’s, who would in turn, “out-rank” a captain’s wife, and so on.

 

8.3                            In order to give a large degree of freedom of choices vis-ŕ-vis role-playing, female members do not have to re-enact the spouse of their actual husband.

 

 

 

 

 

  Appendix III

Regimental Equipment List:

 

1                                        Minimum Requirements For a Soldier’s Camp Activity:

 

Drop front trousers, grey wool

Shoes or boots, black

Shirt, white

Barracks jacket

Forage cap

Gaiters, black

Leather neckstock, black

Linen haversack, natural

 

2                                        Minimum Requirements For Field Duty:

 

Drop front trousers, grey wool

Shoes or boots, black

Shirt, white

Regimental Redcoat, with appropriate accoutrements

Shako, with plate, hackle, rosette, and rosette button

Gaiters, black, calf-length

Leather neckstock, black

Linen haversack, natural

Leather cross belts, white

                        Regimental belt plate

                        Cartridge box, black

                        Leather bayonet scabbard, black

                        Wooden round canteen, blue

                        Whisk and pick

                        Replica Brown Bess  .75 cal. Musket with bayonet

 

3                                        Other Items:

 

Greatcoat, grey, single breasted-lower ranks

                    “ With blue collars/cuffs, -sergeants                  

                                               , double breasted, grey collars and cuffs-officers          

Trotter pack

Bellback wedge tent

Storage box

Musket bag

Tin plate, cup, k.f.s.

Blanket

Drop front trousers, white

Vest-grey

Suspenders

Gaiters, black, knee-length       

 

4                                        Minimum requirements for camp followers:

 

A dress appropriate to the social standing being portrayed

Kerchief or other suitable head covering           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Appendix IV

Orders of Dress:

 

1                                        Battle Order:

 

1.1    Officers:

 

Shako, Regimental Redcoat, Sash, Sword Belt, Sword, Haversack, Grey trousers, and boots under trousers

 

1.2    Sergeants:

 

Shako, Regimental Redcoat, Sash, Crossbelts, Haversack, Cartridge box, Bayonet, Canteen, Grey trousers, Gaiters under trousers, Shoes or boots, Musket.

 

1.3  Other Ranks:

 

As sergeants less sash.

 

2                                        Marching or Campaign Order:

 

As Battle Order for all ranks plus Trotter Pack for NCO’s and men.

 

3                                        Drill Order:

 

3.1  Officers:

 

Forage cap, Regimental Redcoat or Dress Vest, Sash, Haversack, White trousers, Boots under trousers.

           

 

3.2    Sergeants:

 

Shako, Regimental Redcoat, Sash, Crossbelts, Cartridge box, bayonet, Grey trousers, Gaiters under trousers, Shoes or Boots.

 

3.3    Other Ranks:

 

Shako, Barracks Jacket, Haversack, Grey trousers, Gaiters under trousers, Cross belts, Shoes or boots.

 

.

 

 

4                                        Parade Order:

 

4.1    Officers:

 

Shako, Regimental Redcoat with breast facings out, Sash, Sword belt, Sword, White trousers, Boots outside trousers.

 

4.2    Sergeants:

 

Shako, Regimental Redcoat, Sash, Crossbelts, Cartridge box, Bayonet, White trousers, Gaiters under trousers, Shoes or boots.

 

4.3    Other Ranks:

 

As Sergeants less Sash.

 

             5                                     Full Mess Order:

 

 5.1 Officers:

 

Regimental Redcoat with facings folded out, Vest, Sash, Haversack, White Knee Breeches, White hose, Low shoes.

 

5.2  Sergeants:

 

Regimental Redcoat, Sash, Haversack, White trousers, Full Gaiters on the outside, Shoes or boots.

 

5.3  Other Ranks:

 

As Sergeants less Sash.

           

Note: These are guidelines only and the dress for a particular event may be changed by the Commanding Officer.  Non-regulation items of clothing are strictly prohibited.  Anyone wishing to wear non-regulation items during an event’s public hours must obtain the permission of the Commanding Officer. 
Appendix V

Camp Layout:

 

1                                        Tentage:

 

1.1                            Officers:

 

Officers may use any of the following, choosing the most appropriate to the interpretation they are pursuing after first getting the approval of the Commanding Officer.

 

Marquis Tent, 18’ X 10’ (approximate measurements)

Marquis Tent, 14’ X 9’                                        

Wedge Tent,   12’ X 7’ (short wall)

Wedge Tent,     7’ X 7’ (bell back)

 

1.2                            Other Ranks:

 

All Non Commissioned members of the Company unless given prior permission by the Commanding Officer will use a Wedge Tent, 7’ X 7’ (bell back).

 

1.3                            Cooking/Messing:

 

Flies and tents to be used for this purpose are to be approved by the Commanding Officer.

 

2                                        Layout:

 

2.1                            Wherever possible, the Royals will set up in a Company Street with the opening of the Sergeant’s tent facing the Parade Ground and then the OR’s tents in two lines facing each other.

 

Backing onto the OR’s tents will be the Officer’s tents which will face to the ‘Officer’s Street’, away from the Parade Ground subject to Crown Forces Upper Canada’s Command Staff orders.

Tentage for cooking and messing will be set up to the rear of the Commanding Officer’s tent.  This is also where the fire pit(s) will be dug.

 

2.2                   At Crown Forces Upper Canada sponsored events, these orders are subject to the event layouts ordered by the Camp Provost of Crown Forces Upper Canada. 

 


3                                        Diagram:

 

Fly

 
Oval: Fire
 

 


 

 

 

 

 


Marquis

 

Appendix VI

Safety Regulations:

 

1                                        Firearms:

 

1.1                            Only carefully made and proofed replica firearms can be used, and must be approved by the Commanding Officer or the Safety Officer.

 

1.2                            Muskets and/or rifles must use black powder in pre-measured paper cartridges.  The cartridges are to be a maximum of 125 grains of powder for muskets and 70 grains for rifles.  Loading from a powder horn is prohibited.  Dampened cartridges are not to be used, nor are paper wadding or any other material.  Cartridges must be carried in a leather cartridge pouch.  Cartridges may only be rolled and not closed with staples, tape, glue or any other material or substance.

 

1.3                            All ammunition and firearms will be subject to examination prior to firing by designated site officials and the Commanding Officer or the Safety Officer as necessary.

 

1.4                            No member of the public (including the press) shall handle a loaded firearm.

 

1.5                            All firearms must be secured at all times and safely stored when not in use.

 

1.6                            All muskets must have a hammer stall and flash guard in good order and may not be used on the field without them.

 

1.7                            Ramrods are not to be used during any tactical or simulation.

 

1.8                            During opposed line firing all weapons will be aimed a minimum of five (5) feet below the feet or above the heads of the opposing force.  All firing will stop when the forces are within twenty (20) yards of each other.

 

1.9                   Any member of the Company who fails to report for a safety inspection will not be allowed on the field unless by special dispensation from the Commanding Officer and Safety Officer. 

 

**NO PROJECTILE MAY BE FIRED FROM ANY FIREARM AT ANY TIME UNLESS ON A CONTROLLED FIRING RANGE** 

 

 

2                                        Edged Weapons:

 

2.1                            All edged weapons including swords, bayonets, knives, billhooks, axes, tomahawks, etcetera, must be sheathed on the field except as designated in advance by the Site Safety Officer.

 

2.2                            All edged weapons carried on the person in camp or on the field must be inspected and approved by the Commanding Officer or the Safety Officer.

 

3                                        Melee Combat:

 

3.1                            Hand-to-hand combat is prohibited unless pre-arranged with the Site Safety Officer and with the explicit consent of the Commanding Officer and Safety Officer.

 

3.2                            Opposing lines will not come closer than twenty (20) yards to each other unless pre-arranged with the Site Safety Officer.

 

4                    4                    Alcohol and Drugs:

 

4.1                            There will be no consumption of any alcoholic beverage during public hours at any demonstration by any member intending to handle a firearm.

 

4.2                            There will be no consumption of narcotics at any time while at an event.  Members found in possession or consuming narcotics will be asked to leave the event immediately.

 

5                                        Officer’s Call:

 

5.1                            The senior member present or his/her designate must attend these meetings.

 

5.2                            At an event where a limited number of members are present,or only privates of the company are present, those on the line should make every effort to “join-up” with another group to form a section.

 

6                                        Authority:

 

6.1                            Any member found in violation of any of these safety rules may be asked to leave the tactical, simulation, demonstration, or even the event and property at the discretion of the Site Safety Officer.


 

Appendix VII:

Military Courtesies:

 

1                                        Saluting:

 

1.1                            When under arms and an officer approaches, a private or NCO will cease what he is doing and  ‘present arms’ to the officer.  He will remain in this position until the officer acknowledges his salute or passes by him.  If the officer addresses him, the private or NCO will salute the officer when he has finished addressing him as well.

 

1.2                            When not under arms and an officer approaches, a private or NCO will cease what he is doing, look the officer directly in the eye and salute him with an open palm.  He will remain in this position until the officer acknowledges the salute or passes by him.

 

1.3                            In camp, a Private or NCO will only salute a particular officer once a day.  On subsequently seeing the officer, he will come to attention to show his respect.

 

1.4                             When a Private is approached by a Sergeant, he will come to attention and remain in that position until the Sergeant acknowledges the courtesy or passes by him.

 

1.5                            When part of a working party or detachment, the senior NCO or Officer of that party will call the men to attention at the approach of an officer.  The senior member of the party will then appropriately salute the officer.  The men will remain in this position until acknowledged by the officer.

 

2                                        Treatment of Officers

 

2.1                            Soldiers should treat the Officers with Respect and Honour on all occasions.  This is to establish the strictest discipline.

 

2.2                            Soldiers should be discouraged from speaking ill of their Officers and
Non-commissioned officers at anytime. By allowing this is to lessen their
authority and respect.

 

2.3                            A soldier should show respect to all that have the appearance of an Officer, not just those that are from his own corps.

 

2.4                            When an Officer passes by a Sentry, the Sentry is to stand steady, upright and at shouldered arms until he passes by or acknowledges him.