BRITISH AUTHENTICITY REGULATIONS
9th Battalion, Cameronians
15th (Scottish) Division
INTRODUCTION
If you are building, working on, improving or otherwise new to British Infantry re-enacting it is your duty to understand these guidelines and feel free to ask questions. A group of men experienced in the impression and experts on the guidelines will walk you through the impression so as to save you time and money on the process. This will be a no-pressure process to make sure you are completely ready with time to spare before October 2020. To this end we will start to identify original photos, stock photos of equipment and re-enacter photos of gear so as to answer any questions and form your own research.
These uniform regulations have been compiled to best portray 9th Battalion, Cameronians, of the 15th (Scottish) Division during the opening hours of Operation Epsom, June 26, 1944. We will do our best to portray the average Tommy at this event. Yes, there are many variations documented and exceptions to the norm. However, we are going for the most uniform/consistent look as possible. Any variations from the standards below will not be allowed unless approved by the event coordinators/planners.
Minimum requirements to attend
This is the bare minimum to attend.
It is highly suggested to put forth the maximum effort to complete your kit.
It is highly suggested to put forth the maximum effort to complete your kit.
- MKII Helmet (with net, scrim preferred but optional, per photos)
- Battledress blouse with insignia
- Battledress Trousers
- Issue Collarless Shirt
- Ammo Boots
- Anklets (must be blancoed)
- P-37 Webbing- belt, basic pouches, braces, haversack, water bottle and carrier, e-tool and carrier (optional but preferred), bayonet frog (must be blancoed), including entrenching tool and water bottle carrier.
- Gas Cape, or Ground Sheet
- Mess Tin, Utensils, and Cup
- Lee-Enfield No. 4 Rifle w/ Bayonet, scabbard, oiler and pull through
Grooming and Personal Appearance
• Hair will be shaved short around ears and back of neck. Long 1940s hair is OK (and actually encouraged) on top, but sides and back of head must be kept short. Basically if you are wearing your soft cap within regulation, no long hair should be seen.
• There will be no absolutely beards, goatees, or sideburns allowed. You must be clean shaven on day one of the event. Moustaches are allowed but must be tidy, well-trimmed, and 1940s in appearance.
• Non-period tattoos must be covered. Tattoos on neck and face are unacceptable.
• Wedding rings are acceptable as long as they look period. Period ID bracelets or medical bracelets are allowed. No other jewelry is permitted.
• If you wear spectacles, they must be period or contacts must be worn. Regulation British spectacles have small circular metal frames and metal hooked side arms. Sunglasses or shaded lenses are not permitted, period or not.
• No modern watches are allowed. Period wrist watches and pockets watches are allowed. If in doubt, check with the event coordinators.
• There will be no absolutely beards, goatees, or sideburns allowed. You must be clean shaven on day one of the event. Moustaches are allowed but must be tidy, well-trimmed, and 1940s in appearance.
• Non-period tattoos must be covered. Tattoos on neck and face are unacceptable.
• Wedding rings are acceptable as long as they look period. Period ID bracelets or medical bracelets are allowed. No other jewelry is permitted.
• If you wear spectacles, they must be period or contacts must be worn. Regulation British spectacles have small circular metal frames and metal hooked side arms. Sunglasses or shaded lenses are not permitted, period or not.
• No modern watches are allowed. Period wrist watches and pockets watches are allowed. If in doubt, check with the event coordinators.
Battledress and Insignia
Battle Dress
• Battledress Blouse Serge, Pattern 1940 or 1940 Austerity. Original or reproduction.
• Battledress Trousers Serge, Pattern 1940 or 1940 Austerity. Original or reproduction.
• If not wearing original, reproductions from Panther Store are the preferred choice.
• WPG is acceptable if it is tailored to fit and looks smart in appearance.
• Battledress Serge, 1937 Pattern is acceptable but, discouraged.
• No Post War, War Aid, Canadian, Indian, Australian, South African, New Zealand, Dutch, Greek, or Belgian BD is acceptable. British wartime pattern only. Converted P49 BD is also NOT allowed.
Insignia for BD Blouse ( Available through The Old Time design Company (UK- mention Drive on Caen or DoC through email to order or J&T limited)
1) Battalion Insignia- Cameronians title DARK rifle green with black lettering, printed (pref).
2) 15th Scottish Division Rampant Lion- embroidered (pref) or printed
3) Brigade AOS- 2 x Rifle Green
*No rank, trade, good conduct or other insignia will be worn unless dictated by the event organizers.
Braces and/or Belt
Trousers should be supported by the following:
1) Original or WPG British white braces
2) Period Civilian Braced in plain colors
3) Original or reproduction 1903 pattern brown leather belt
Tam O Shanter
• Original British wartime pattern or reproduction from Sean Foster or other quality mfg
• GS cap with addition of toorie is also acceptable. Original or reproduction from Panther Store or Sean Foster.
• Cap Badge Insignia will be Cameronians in white metal with Regimental Douglas tartan backing for officers and NO backing for enlisted. Pre, war time and post war variants acceptable avoid stay brite.
Collarless Wool Shirt
• Original British wartime pattern or reproduction from Panther Store, WPGCE, Richard Knight, WPG or other quality vendors. .
• Should have white metal (grey) or plastic buttons.
Undershorts
• Undershorts. Original pattern is recommended but not required. They should at least be plain white, if modern undershorts are worn. *Darcey Clothing has these in civilian style as well as WPGCE
Ammo Boots
• Wartime Pattern British black leather ammunition boots with capped toe and pebbled grain leather.
• Must be ladder laced with leather laces.
• Must have heel plate, toe plate, and regulation 13 hob nails.
• Reproductions from WPG, SM Wholesale, or William Lennon (Epic Militaria is stocking these) are acceptable.
• No post war DMS boots.
Socks
• Grey wool form WPG or similar civilian socks.
• 2-3 pair recommended.
• Battledress Blouse Serge, Pattern 1940 or 1940 Austerity. Original or reproduction.
• Battledress Trousers Serge, Pattern 1940 or 1940 Austerity. Original or reproduction.
• If not wearing original, reproductions from Panther Store are the preferred choice.
• WPG is acceptable if it is tailored to fit and looks smart in appearance.
• Battledress Serge, 1937 Pattern is acceptable but, discouraged.
• No Post War, War Aid, Canadian, Indian, Australian, South African, New Zealand, Dutch, Greek, or Belgian BD is acceptable. British wartime pattern only. Converted P49 BD is also NOT allowed.
Insignia for BD Blouse ( Available through The Old Time design Company (UK- mention Drive on Caen or DoC through email to order or J&T limited)
1) Battalion Insignia- Cameronians title DARK rifle green with black lettering, printed (pref).
2) 15th Scottish Division Rampant Lion- embroidered (pref) or printed
3) Brigade AOS- 2 x Rifle Green
*No rank, trade, good conduct or other insignia will be worn unless dictated by the event organizers.
Braces and/or Belt
Trousers should be supported by the following:
1) Original or WPG British white braces
2) Period Civilian Braced in plain colors
3) Original or reproduction 1903 pattern brown leather belt
Tam O Shanter
• Original British wartime pattern or reproduction from Sean Foster or other quality mfg
• GS cap with addition of toorie is also acceptable. Original or reproduction from Panther Store or Sean Foster.
• Cap Badge Insignia will be Cameronians in white metal with Regimental Douglas tartan backing for officers and NO backing for enlisted. Pre, war time and post war variants acceptable avoid stay brite.
Collarless Wool Shirt
• Original British wartime pattern or reproduction from Panther Store, WPGCE, Richard Knight, WPG or other quality vendors. .
• Should have white metal (grey) or plastic buttons.
Undershorts
• Undershorts. Original pattern is recommended but not required. They should at least be plain white, if modern undershorts are worn. *Darcey Clothing has these in civilian style as well as WPGCE
Ammo Boots
• Wartime Pattern British black leather ammunition boots with capped toe and pebbled grain leather.
• Must be ladder laced with leather laces.
• Must have heel plate, toe plate, and regulation 13 hob nails.
• Reproductions from WPG, SM Wholesale, or William Lennon (Epic Militaria is stocking these) are acceptable.
• No post war DMS boots.
Socks
• Grey wool form WPG or similar civilian socks.
• 2-3 pair recommended.
Additional Items Worn With Uniform
Identification
• AB64 Paybook. Available from Clever Forgery.
• ID disks. Available from Sean Foster or Clever Forgery (on facebook)
• Original First Field Dressing (FFD) worn in FFD pocket on BD trousers.
• Original wartime British jackknife and lanyard.
Helmet
• MKII Helmet, correct original color, correct net, early model spring chin strap or late model elastic chin strap. Shell dressing Hessian helmet cover, camouflaged, solid blanco or left sterile and under the net is allowed. Correct early or late helmet nut. Correct British or Canadian liner. Scrim correctly attached and green scrim needs to be a correct British color. Photographs will be uploaded.
P37 Webbing, Battle Order
*All webbing will be original or reproduction with brass hardware. Absolutely no black hardware allowed. Your entire battle order will be blancoed in a FRESH coat of KG3. Brass does not need to be polished but, should not be excessively tarnished or rusted.
• P37 belt. Two recommended. One for stepping out/drill order. One for battle order
• P37 Anklets/Gaiters
• 2x MK II or MK III basic pouches. Must have snap closures.
• No 2 spike bayonet with frog
• 1x water bottle (2 pref). Brown enamel with brown wool cover.
• Water Bottle Carrier (envelope or skeleton type).
• 2x Shoulder Braces
• P37 e-tool. Helve, handle, and carrier. This is an optional item.
• Gas cape. Rolled up and strapped to rear of webbing. Available from WPG.
• Small Pack with right and left L-straps.
Contents of small pack
-Mess tin (British wartime pattern)
-Holdall with cutlery, housewife, mirror, hygiene items, white towel, spare boot laces, etc.
-Tea mug. Original or reproduction brown, green, or white with blue trim.
-V-neck jumper/sweater. Original or reproduction form WPG or The Old Time Design Company
-Original or reproduction cap comforter or balaclava from WPG.
- Tommy cooker
• Groundsheet. Tan/khaki British wartime pattern. Original or WPG. Worn folded up underneath small pack flap.
• Original wartime bandoleer with charger clips. Two bandoleers recommended.
• GS shovel or pick. Original wartime or post war. Must have raw colored wood handle and spade/pick portion must be painted black. IMA-USA sells shovels painted green. Buy one, sand down the handle and refinish, then paint the spade portion black. Also vehicle and certain civilian model shovels are authorized.
• Machete, original wartime pattern with leather sheath only. For Bren group leader and/or section leader only.
Weapons
NO GAS GUNS unless on a Vehicle, stationary Vickers or AA
(On approval only)
- No 4 Mk I SMLE. Wartime configuration.
- Sten Mk II or Mk III (carried by CPL’s, SGT’s, officers and some specialists)
- Bren Mk I or Mk II with auxiliary pouches, and spare barrel carrier. (one per section)
- No 2 Mk I enfield or Mk VII webley revolvers. For MG crews, officers, and support staff only.
- PIAT (must be approved by event coordinators)
- 2 inch mortar (must be approved by event coordinators)
- Vickers MG (smooth and fluted jackets acceptable) (Middlesex Regt.)
- 3 inch mortar (must be approved by event coordinators)
Bivouac Items
Note you will be on the move Friday and Saturday. Stationary Bivouac items are for refit camp only.
• Grey wool blanket. 1 required. 2-3 recommended.
• British two man bivi tent. Green, brown, or khaki. 1 per two men. This is not required!
• Kit bag. Original, reproduction from Pegasus or WPG militaria.
• Large Pack. For storing extra/non-period items.
• Sleeping Bag. Modern sleeping bags are fine but, please keep them covered up with blankets. It is recommended to make or buy a canvas bivi sack/cover for your sleeping bag.
• British two man bivi tent. Green, brown, or khaki. 1 per two men. This is not required!
• Kit bag. Original, reproduction from Pegasus or WPG militaria.
• Large Pack. For storing extra/non-period items.
• Sleeping Bag. Modern sleeping bags are fine but, please keep them covered up with blankets. It is recommended to make or buy a canvas bivi sack/cover for your sleeping bag.
Optional Items (Highly Recommended)
• Green and brown camouflaged face veil. Original or reproduction
• Plimsoles. Original or reproduction from WPG.
• Scarf, original British or Belgian. Period civilian knit scarves in neutral colors are acceptable.
• Brass/boot polish kit
• PT shorts. Original or reproduction from WPG.
• Vest (t-shirt), cotton or wool. Original or reproduction 3 button from Darcy Clothing or H&M.
• Period personal effects such as currency, letters, photos, etc.
• Long underwear. Original recommended but, any plain white surplus long johns are ok.
• British wartime wire cutters and pouch.
• British 4.4 or 2 gallon water cans.
• Period military or civilian torch.
• No 2 Mk II binoculars (for NCOs and officers only).
• Mk III compass (NCOs and officers only).
• String Vest
• Period Tobacco products. Pipes, Cigarettes, etc. Ensure your lighter/matches are period as well as your packaging.
• Plimsoles. Original or reproduction from WPG.
• Scarf, original British or Belgian. Period civilian knit scarves in neutral colors are acceptable.
• Brass/boot polish kit
• PT shorts. Original or reproduction from WPG.
• Vest (t-shirt), cotton or wool. Original or reproduction 3 button from Darcy Clothing or H&M.
• Period personal effects such as currency, letters, photos, etc.
• Long underwear. Original recommended but, any plain white surplus long johns are ok.
• British wartime wire cutters and pouch.
• British 4.4 or 2 gallon water cans.
• Period military or civilian torch.
• No 2 Mk II binoculars (for NCOs and officers only).
• Mk III compass (NCOs and officers only).
• String Vest
• Period Tobacco products. Pipes, Cigarettes, etc. Ensure your lighter/matches are period as well as your packaging.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Lion Rampant: The Memoirs of an Infantry Officer from D-Day to the Rhineland by Robert Woollcombe
- Scottish Lion on Patrol: 15th Scottish Reconnaissance Regiment by W. Kemsly
- Operation Epsom (Over the Battlefield) by Ian Danglish
- Surrender Invites Death: Fighting the Waffen SS in Normandy by John A. English
- The 12th SS The History of the Hitler Youth Panzer Division: Volume 1 and 2 by Hubert Meyer
- Blood and Honor: THE HISTORY OF THE 12TH SS PANZER DIVISION "HITLER YOUTH" 1943-45 by Craig W.H. Luther
- 21 Panzer Division (French) by Jean-Claude Perrigault
- The Combat History of the 21st Panzer Division by Werner Kortenhaus
- 21st Panzer Division by Chris Ellis
- Panzer Commander:The Memoirs of Hans Von Luck by Hans Von Luck
