| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Spanish Pilot |
Posted - December 10 2005 : 11:29:15 PM
In 1761 in the regular regiments of the English infantry struggled in Europe, there were sappers (pioneers). In each battalion was on 8 person. Whether there were sappers in the regiments sent during F&I War to America? |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - January 17 2006 : 09:16:25 AM
Primary source documents for such 'modified grooming' is tough to come by, since it was more of an authorized tradition in the British Army (Originally born out of neccesity). If you look on the many 'unoffical' British Army regimental websites (Those maintained by former/retired members of said regiment), you will almost universally find that beards are even today authorized, and encouraged by command staff, for Pioneer Sergeants and Colour Sergeants. The exception is during active service, where shaving is needed to ensure a good seal for the NBC mask.
YMH&OS,
The Sarge |
| Seth Montour |
Posted - January 02 2006 : 11:00:04 PM
Ive often seen the whole facial hair thing repeated time and time again by reenactors, but have never seen a primary source for it. |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - December 21 2005 : 09:37:48 AM
Glad I could be of service.
YMH&OS,
The Sarge |
| Spanish Pilot |
Posted - December 20 2005 : 11:58:52 PM
Thank you very much! |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - December 20 2005 : 10:37:21 AM
Since you were kind enough to wait, I shall insure that you shall not wait that long, my friend. So here it is:
The term 'Pioneer' in the 18th Century art of war, should perhaps be better understood if the term 'combat engineer' was used instead. Out of each regiment, or battalion for larger regiments, in the British Army of that period, 6-8 private soldiers, lead by a corporal, was assigned to a 'Pioneer Platoon'.
Now, out of 500-1000 men, this number may appear small, but remember that while on campaign there were usually brigade or divisonal-sized formations involved (Comprised of at least several regiments/battalions). This would give a commander a working pool of around 50-60 'Pioneers', to assign duties.
The duties of such soldiers were that of constructing or destroying fortifications, bridging rivers/gorges, and negotiating other obsticales so that the main army could continue its march. Other duties included butchering fresh meat for their respective regiments/battalions, as well as repairing damage to buildings or defensive works of a fixed post.
Such men were permitted, by need and later tradition, to wear facial hair. This stems from the original nature of their work, to be at least two days march ahead of the army, and thus unable to comply with the manditory once-in-every-three-day shaving of facial hair, as required by King's Regulations. Other uniform modifications, in addition to the standard firelock and stand-of-arms carried, included the wearing of the fatigue cap, and later bear-skin mitre cap, in lieu of the cocked hat of regular battalion troops. Each man also wore a leather work apron, and carried a facine knife (See Below). Other tools such as felling and broad axes, mattocks, shovels and several varieties of hand saws were carried, or issued, as needed from their equipment stores.
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Facine Knife
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Mattock
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An authentic 18th Century Handsaw
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An authentic 18th Century Broad Axe
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A recreated pioneer from the 64th Regiment of Foote, circa 1778
In closing, let me salute such men of old, who were the unsung heroes which almost always accompanied the vaunted British Grenadier on any assault of fortifications. They did not have songs written about their exploits, nor did they find their way into military legend; as did the Grenadiers, Light Infantry, and later the Riflemen of the 60th & 95th Regiments. These men were instead, the 'Quiet Professionals', who simply did their job, risked and sometimes lost their lives, for King, Country and Regiment. Huzzah!!!
I hope this aided you with your question.
YMH&OS,
The Sarge |
| Spanish Pilot |
Posted - December 18 2005 : 10:15:11 PM
SgtMunro,
Ok. Thank you! I shall wait. |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - December 18 2005 : 4:40:30 PM
Spanish Pilot,
Why yes there were 'Pioneer Platoons' in each regiment of the 18th Century British Army. The concept of six private soldiers, supervised by a corporal, as a portable engineer unit was standardized in the British Army during the Late-Restoration Period (1660-1688). When I have time, I will do a complete posting on the subject.
YMH&OS,
The Sarge |
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