Welcome

The 33rd Foot is modelled on a standard battalion company of a line regiment of infantry during the period 1812–1816. We are not guards, highlanders, rifles, grenadiers or light infantry (and definitely not French!). We don’t pretend to have any special skills or to be a unique unit. Instead we represent an ordinary company of red-coated line infantry. Emphasis is placed on the life of the ordinary rank and file – the private soldier – that made up the backbone of the army.

Brief History

The 33rd Foot was first raised in 1702 as “The Earl of Huntingdon’s Regiment” by order of Queen Anne to fight in the War of the Spanish Succession. It fought with distinction in that war and subsequently in the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years War and the American War of Independence.

In 1782 it was decided to link regiments to a county. The Regiment then became the 33rd (or 1st Yorkshire West Riding). Lord Cornwallis, Colonel at the time, wrote, “…the 33rd Regt. of Infantry has always recruited in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and has a very good interest & the general good will of the people, in that part of the country.” They also acquired the nickname “The Havercake Lads” after a type of oatcake used by recruiting parties to tempt recruits with promises of regular food.

Arthur Wesley (later the Duke of Wellington) took over command of the regiment in 1793. During the Napoleonic Wars the 33rd saw action in the West Indies, Holland, Ile de Bourbon, Mauritius & India, where they took part the defeat of the dreaded “Tiger of Mysore”, Tippoo Sultan.

Returning to England in 1812 after 16 years abroad, the regiment was first based at Hull before being ordered in 1813 to carry out “King’s Duty”: standing guard at Windsor Castle. Six months later it departed again for Holland where it took part in the attack on Bergen-op-Zoom before Napoleon was exiled to Elba.

They were still in Holland when “The Ogre” escaped and returned to France. Forming part of Halkett’s 5th Brigade in Alten’s 3rd Division they saw action at Quatre Bras. Marching back to Waterloo they were formed in the centre of the ridge between Hougomont and La Haye Sainte. Here they withstood the French attacks all day, finally repulsing even Napoleon’s elite Imperial Guard. Between the 16th and 18th June 1815 the 33rd suffered a total of 277 casualties from a strength of 561, almost half their men.

The 33rd survives today as the 3rd Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. In 1990 General Sir Charles Huxtable wrote, after vacating the colonelcy:

“We are not a smart, social regiment. We do not seek to be ever in the headlines. We do not pretend to have some special expertise. Indeed perhaps what makes us special is that we do not seek to be any of those things.

“We are ordinary, straightforward folk who stick together. We have in the Duke’s some of the best soldiers in the world. I would back the Duke’s soldier – the good, honest, straight forward, hard working Yorkshireman – against any soldiers in the world.”

Our group represents the 8th company of the 33rd Foot, from their return in 1812 to the final peace in 1816. We portray a standard line company, typical of the redcoats of the time and the backbone of the British Army. Emphasis is placed on the life of the ordinary infantry private during times of peace & war.

Our Unit

The 33rd Foot is modelled on a standard battalion company of a line regiment of infantry during the period 1812–1816. We are not guards, highlanders, rifles, grenadiers or light infantry (and definitely not French!). We don’t pretend to have any special skills or to be a unique unit. Instead we represent an ordinary company of red-coated line infantry. Emphasis is placed on the life of the ordinary rank and file – the private soldier – that made up the backbone of the army.

As a company we attend events all over the country ranging from small appearances to large battles with hundreds involved. Larger events often occur on the continent with many nationalities taking part. There are also many “living history” events where we show how soldiers lived from day to day. Barracks scenes and camps are often set up showing many of the other activities soldiers took part in when not fighting. During the winter months we have regular meetings and drill practices where members learn the period drill and manoeuvres. Many of our members are keen military historians and a great deal of research into the period is conducted.

Known alternatively as “The 1st Yorkshire West Riding Regiment” our headquarters is in Halifax and most members come from the north of England. The regiment still exists as the 3rd Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, with whom we have links through their regimental museum in Halifax. The Duke was colonel of the 33rd until 1812, a position which he was always proud of. The 33rd played a major part at Waterloo: standing in the front line at the centre of the ridge the unit suffered almost 50% casualties.

Richard Sharpe, made famous by Sean Bean in the long-running TV series and popular books, ‘served’ in the 33rd.

Applications for membership are welcomed from anyone who is prepared to put in the effort required to be part of one of the best re-enactment companies in the country.

The Kit

Our chosen period is 1812 to 1816. This allows us to represent the 33rd Foot both at home and on campaign.

On its return form India in 1811 the regiment came back both low in numbers and in much need of new clothing and equipment. Volunteers and drafts from the militia came in, so it was important to get the battalion re-issued with new clothes and equipment as soon as possible. It is very probable that the 33rd were one of the first battalions to be re-clothed in the new regulations of 1812, ie new cap (the so-called Belgic shako), regimental coat – square fronted – grey trousers and short grey gaiters.

That was fine for 1812 but how do we operate now in a re-enactment context? Well, we don’t expect a new recruit to get everything straight away. We have instead within the 33rd a system of “uniform priority” on all items of clothing and equipment: a minimum, which more or less consists of the basic clothing you would a have received on joining your regimental depot; a basic, which is what is required to take the field; and optional, the nice-to-have items, but a low priority! Uniform and equipment is centrally ordered though the regiments’ quartermaster. Full details and current prices of all 33rd uniform and equipment are available on request.

So there you are: the basis of soldiering in Wellington’s Army. We aim high, but not so high that it cannot be achieved over a period of time.

The 33rd does not compromise or cut corners on our historical impression. Good re-enactment is about being able to constantly evaluate one’s historical impression.

Events

2026 Events

• Jan / Feb / March

  • Winter Quarters Training Events

• April

  • 11/12th No Mans Land – North Wales
  • 18/19th West Horsley Place

• May

  • 9th Huddersfield Multi period

• June

  • 20th Bankfield Museum – 20th anniversary of the Yorkshire regiment
  • 21st Middleton Railway 200th anniversary

• July

  • 18/19th Murton Park

• Aug

  • 8/9th Immersive event Kent
  • 8/9th York Georgian Festival

• Sept

  • 12/13th Jane Austen Festival Bath

• Nov

  • Training day
  • 8th Remembrance Day Parade

How to Join

If you’re thinking of joining the 33rd Foot there are a number of things you will want to know. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

To become a member you’ll need to complete a membership form and be accepted into the unit. There is an annual membership fee to pay but if you join at or after the last event of the summer this will entitle you to membership for the following year. Otherwise membership is due on January 1st each year.

If you want to take an active part at events you will need to purchase a uniform or period civilian outfit. Our standards are very high and all items should be either purchased through the unit or checked with the quartermaster. One of the ways we stand out from other re-enactment units is the quality and uniformity of our kit. The full basic uniform will cost over £500, but is generally purchased one piece at a time. Alternatively, to speed things up a new recruit can set up a standing order to the unit. Once this is done we can organise for them to have kit given on a ‘hire purchase’ arrangement which enables the recruit to join the unit on events much sooner. This is organised on a personal basis between the recruit the QM and the committee.

A firelock will be needed to take part in drill and firing displays, unless you wish to be a drummer. We prefer you to have a standard India pattern brown bess musket and bayonet for uniformity. Contact the quartermaster to find out our supply of these. If you want to buy and keep one, you’ll have to get a shotgun certificate from your local police force. To fire it you will also need a licence to handle blackpowder. The unit can assist you in getting these licences but the responsibility lies with you.

All your kit should be well cared for and kept clean. Many of our events in this country portray the unit on home service. Remember that we are representing a unit of the British army and shabby or dirty kit will not be tolerated for these events. Similarly your behavior whilst in uniform should comply to the standards of the time. Ranks should be respected and any duties cheerfully carried out. Don’t worry, we take good care of our members in the 33rd and you will not be forced to do anything you don’t want to.

For those of you who aspire rank be warned. Firstly we ask you to serve a full year as a private before you can be nominated for any rank. Secondly all ranks are elected by the membership at our AGM. Thirdly we concentrate on the ordinary line private and do not have many other ranks in the unit. Remember, we are all ‘actors’ and that nobody can actually order you to do anything. The officer or NCO is merely acting the part when giving orders and we expect members to ‘act’ the correct response.

The unit holds drill sessions once a month over the winter in Leeds to keep everybody up to scratch and to train new members. We hope that you can make as many of these as possible so that everybody can work together as one body at events. The drill looks fairly complex but when broken down to its constituent parts it’s fairly straightforward.

If you’d like to find out more about the company and its members or receive a list of the current year’s events click here.