Roliça & Vimeiro Bicentenary Despatch August 2008

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Roliça & Vimeiro Bicentenary Despatch August 2008

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The 95th Rifles Living History Society representing
2nd Battalion 44th East Essex Regiment of Foot (2/44) and 1st Battalion 95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot (1/95) took part in the 200th Anniversary celebrations of the initial battles of the Peninsular War at Roliça (17 August 1808) and Vimeiro (21 August 1808) on the actual battlefields in Portugal.

These were Arthur Wellesley's (later the Duke of Wellington) first victories of the War.

As well as various parades, services of remembrance, the agenda included 3 re-enactment battles on the actual sites:

Saturday 16 August:
Re-enactment of the Battle of Roliça;
Re-enactment of the Battle of Vimeiro (perimeter of the town).

Sunday 17 August:
Re-enactment of the Battle of Vimeiro (from perimeter and through the town to the church steps)

The event had everything a re-enactor could wish - fun in the sun, rain (just a smattering), beaches, parades, cheering crowds and 3 battles.
We were honoured by a parade in the regions civil capital Lourinha.
Our Chaplain, Stephen Fletcher, performed a memorial service on the steps of the monument in Vimeiro and a dignified rememberance service in the pouring rain at the grave of Colonel Lake of the 29th on the heights overlooking Rolica.

To top it all our hosts, the wonderful people of the communities of Roliça and Vimeiro, took care of our every need and made the event one that will live in our memories forever. Thank you.

We enjoyed the company of our friends in the 2/95th, 33rd and other regiments in the NA "B" Division.
Vimeiro 1.jpg
Vimeiro 1.jpg (93.35 KiB) Viewed 18670 times
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Rolicia 3.jpg
Rolicia 3.jpg (85.85 KiB) Viewed 18647 times
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And:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0FGLbIVe7o
95thRLHS Official Communication
CM Steven Hars

Rolica

Post by CM Steven Hars »

Try this for a short introduction to our fabulous campaign, more to come I'm sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8bHNpIHXQE

Here's another good one with Major Ed (Colonel Lake) Parker dieing magnificently and Drummer Fletcher eating a plastic bottle! :roll:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYneRBJLJyU
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