![[History]](timer.gif)
History and Chronology of the Period |
![[Photo]](profile.gif)
Photo Gallery |
![[Remember]](contents.gif)
Remembrance |
![[Units]](launch.gif)
Units in the Northwest
Welcome to the Midlanders Home Page. We are a Saskatoon based historical re-enactment group started in 1985 during the Centennial of the North-West Rebellion. Our aim is to promote and preserve the earliest military history of our Province and to present it to the public as a living history.
As a Historical Re-enactment group, we focus on portraying soldiers of the Victorian era in character, camp life, and military drills. Through extensive research,and using Victorian Army Drill, uniforms, rifles, accoutrements, a circa 1750 2" Coehorn trench mortar, a 1" mountain howitzer, and a historically accurate period encampment, we are able to accurately portray the Canadian Militia of 1885.
Members abilities range considerably. Many are primitive firearms enthusiasts with a good knowledge of military history. Skills include knowledge of military drill from the Victorian era, (British Army Drill Manual - 1884, Manual of British Small Arms - 1879, The 9 Pdr. Rifled Muzzle loading Cannon - 1882), horseback riding, vocal dialects, musical ability - guitar, bugle, bagpipes, harmonica, tin penny whistle, drumming, and singing.
Some members have different outfits of primitive style (ie. buckskins), different uniforms, and are very versatile in many roles. It is this versatility that has allowed us to perform in many films and documentaries.
The Midland Historical Volunteers 1885 give, or have given, live performances and period encampments at Fort Battleford National Historical Park, Batoche National Historical Park, the Louis Riel Day opening ceremonies in Saskatoon, Fort Normandeau in Red Deer AB., Fort Whoop-Up in Lethbridge AB., the Barracks site in Fort Macleod AB. and Lewis and Clark Days in Cutbank Montana. The Midland Historical Volunteers have also given performances at the opening of the Wanuskewin First Nations Park, Nutana Collegiate Institute Friends Day, the Hudson Bay Trade Show, the Camp Dundurn 75th Anniversary, the Canada Remembers Air Show, the Saskatoon WinterFest, the Saskatoon Heritage Fest, Saskatoon FolkFest Western Canadian Pavilion, the Saskatoon Exhibition Parade, and the Saskatoon PrairieLand Exhibition.
The Midland Historical Volunteers 1885 have stood ceremonial guard at historic Marr House which was the battalion field hospital during the North-West Rebellion of 1885 and were honoured by being asked to be ceremonial guard for Princess Diana's book of Rememberance at the Saskatoon City Hall in 1987.
Movie and Television Credits
The MIDLAND HISTORICAL VOLUNTEERS 1885 started in 1985, the Centennial of the North-West Rebellion, by members who were interested in the military history of the North-West Rebellion of 1885. Members represent "A" Company through "H" Company of the original Midland Provisional Batallion but portray mostly "A" Company the 15th Battalion Argyll Light Infantry from Belleville Ontario .
Over the last nineteen years there have been many changes including adding a 1758 pattern Cohorn black powder Trench Mortar and a 1875 pattern one inch bore U.S. Army mountain howitzer.
As a result of our activities we became involved in the movie business in 1992 as actors and technical advisors on the arms, drill, and tactics of the Canadian Militia Army using the British Army drill manual of 1884. We have done movie work for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Cinepost Productions, Greystone Productions, the F.S.I.N., Baton Broadcasting Inc., Good Earth Productions, Big Bear Productions and Finnegan Video & Sound.
Our work has been seen on A&E's," The Real West with Kenny Rodgers", History Television's "History Lands", C.B.C.'s "In the Heart of Canada's Old North-West" and "The Life and Times of Big Bear", C.T.V.'s "The Bell of Batoche" and promotions for the Louis Riel Relay Race, and Parks Canada's "The Battle of Batoche"
Images of our members have been featured on pamphlets for Fort Battleford and Batoche National Historical sites.
The Midland Historical Volunteers 1885 specializes in; blank firing demonstrations, Military Encampments, period drill, tactics, general encampment life, and the history of the Victorian era soldier of the Canada Militia.
This is the 1858 pattern three band Enfield musket in .577 cal. which was converted to a center fire breech loading cartridge rifle from 1866 through 1869 by Jacob Snider of Pennsylvania. Renamed the Snider-Enfield, it was given to Dominion Militia forces around the Empire and was in use in Canada up to just before W.W.1. This rifle came in three different configurations; One band, two band, and three band. The three band was the primary infantry weapon and used a 15 inch long triangular socket bayonet, the Two band was used by rifle companies and senior N.C.O.'s and used a 24 inch long sword bayonet, and the One band (sometimes called a "Cavalry Carbine" ) was used by the artillery and mounted troops and was not issued with a bayonet. The one band Snider-Enfield was also the first rifle issued to the N.W.M.P. in 1873.
The uniform of a soldier of "A" Coy. the 15th Argyll Light Infantry Battalion, Midland Provisional Battalion of 1885 was the British Uniform and acourements of 1858 and consists of:
An "undress" uniform consisting of:
A "battledress" uniform consisting of:
In addition the soldier would be issued:
In our encampments we try to portray life as the Victorian Soldier of 1885 would have lived it. To this end we have three tropical white bell tents made to the same specifications as the Victorian Soldier would have lived in in the field. We use dishes and cutlery from the period and cook food as they would have eaten. The boxes and barrels are made to the same period specifications and our uniforms are the British Field Service Serge Frock Coat (Scarlet with dark blue facings and a white crowsfoot knot on each sleeve), the typical "Red Coat" of the British Army.
The rifles we use are working antiques which we use for firing demonstrations. We have a circa 1758 pattern Coehorn black powder trench mortar and a 1 inch bore mountain pattern "howitzer" which we also use in our firing demonstrations. The bayonet and foot drill we use is from the 1884 British Army drill manual. Communication with the troops in the field is done by bugle and drum with the last post played every night and revelle played every morning during our encampments.
Who can join the Midland Historical Volunteers 1885?
The organization is open to those who have an interest in accurately portraying Canadian and, specifically, Saskatchewan military history. There are three classes of membership; full, associate, and honourary. Full membership, due to the historical nature of the group, is open to males only. Associate memberships are open to those males who are between the ages of 16 and 18, or females, and may not vote in any of the elections or hold office. Honourary membership is granted by the club to those individuals who have done much to help the club attain it's goals.
How much does it cost to become a member?
The dues consist of a $15.00 yearly membership fee. These membership fees are to cover administration costs and ensure that a member has voting privilages. In addition all members must carry their own personal insurance which is available through the N.F.A.
It is our philosophy that this, like any hobby, requires personal commitment as well as the outlay of some money. We believe in the principle of "One man - One kit" which, to us, means that new members must be willing to assemble their basic uniform immediately and the complete uniform within the first two years. Borrowing of equipment is discouraged because it leads to bad feelings when it is returned in less than "ideal" condition.
What kind of Commitment am I required to make?
The club meets every first Sunday evening of the month and the scheduling of meetings is arranged so that everyone may attend. Attendance is manditory and the meetings usually run from 2 to 2.5 hours including, occasionally, some drill practice time.
What do I need to participate?
The basic "undress" uniform consists of a pair of General Service trousers (navy blue with a narrow red stripe down the outer seams) with suspenders, (we discourage the use of clip-on types), a grey or white long sleeved underwear or banded collar shirt, a pair of black military lace-up (Combat) boots, and a glenngarry hat with cap badge. This is the uniform worn in encampments.
Glenngarrys are available from club sources, Trousers may be purchased from Men's clothing stores, Underwear shirts may be purchased from "Work" type clothing stores, and boots may be purchased through a surplus store. Initially you should have a basic uniform assembled as soon as possible. Other uniform parts can be assembled as members can afford.
The following are approximate costs:
The basic "battledress" uniform consists of a British Field Service Scarlet Serge Coat with eight "one inch" home pattern brass buttons on the front and two on the back, a white leather belt with a round interlocking brass buckle, a white leather ball bag which hangs from the belt on the right side, a white leather bayonet frog which hangs from the belt on the right side, a black leather cartouche with a wide white shoulder strap hung over the left shoulder and under the belt and hanging on the right hip, a wooden canteen on a white leather belt hung over the right shoulder and under the belt and hanging on the left hip, a white canvas haversack hung over the right shoulder and under the bayonet and on the right side, and a blue home service tropical pattern (pith) helmet with regimental brass helmet plate.
The following are approximate costs and are recomended to be purchased or made in the following order:
In addition the following is essential:
This is nice, but...
The Western Canadian Re-enactment Association
Canadian Reenactment Home Page
The Rocky Mountain Rangers IV Troop
The Brockville Infantry Company
Back to Table of Contents
The 1879 Group (24th Regiment of Foot)(U.K.)
The 65th Regiment of Foot (N.Z.) Page
Back to Table of Contents
Dixie Gunworks (Doesn't like Netscape)
Back to Table of Contentshttp://www.syscon.sk.ca/midlanders/midland.htm