Powerful storms passed through northern New Jersey on July 4, 2026, cancelling many celebrations and fireworks set to mark the nation's 250th birthday party. Among the casualties was the July 4th Independence Day picnic at our local Washington's Headquarters, the Dey Mansion in Wayne. What was originally scheduled to be an 1830s event at the Wayne Museum was then changed as Passaic County rescheduled its July 4th celebration for July 11th, and we were asked to shift from Victorian to Georgian. This was no problem for us and we were happy to do so. The event ran from 11 to 3pm and, despite a little drizzle around noon (what British redcoat is afraid of a little rain?) the day went very well. There was a reading of the Declaration of Independence between musical sets by a live band, a catered lunch provided by the county, and the buildings were open for tours and exploration. Our rebel counterparts were the New Jersey Militia, Heard's Brigade, and we spent much of the day talking to visitors (and taking lots of pictures with them). It also presented a great opportunity for demonstrating the 1764 Manual of Arms and practicing marching and maneuvering. Happy belated 250th birthday, USA!
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Hawthorne Councilwoman Anna Marie Sasso invited the Royal Sussex Society to participate in the Caballeros 80th Anniversary to highlight the Borough of Hawthorne and Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce's observation of the 250th anniversary of American independence. Sharon, Tom, and John set up a booth at the Hawthorne High School athletic field, and John delivered an address prepared for the occasion just prior to the band's performance. A write-up of the event can be found in TAPinto Hawthorne, written by and pictures credited to the exceptional Lynford Morton: Hawthorne Celebrates 80 Years of the Caballeros With Community Performance This year's Memorial Day continued our tradition of participating as a tribute to the Great War. And as 2026 has continued to highlight the Italian front with our subsidiary Italian Front Project, we were able to field a spectacular display which broke our previous attendance record in 2023. American, British, and Italian forces were represented, including the medical personnel of the UK and Italy, in Hawthorne's annual Memorial Day parade. The morning started off in the 60s as we lined up. It was cool but humid--no problem for wool-wearing. A few minutes prior to stepping off, the sun emerged from the clouds, burned up the dampness, and the temperature rose ten degrees. Any hope of escaping Memorial Day without losing a few pounds in sweat were dashed. But march on we did, with a Colour ensign for each country. The parade route is about one mile, ending past the mayoral review stand. Afterward, a barbecue was held at regimental HQ for those who wished to stay a bit longer. Thank you to all our participants! The Royal Sussex Society's sister organization, the Italian Front Project, were joined together to showcase the Italian Front of the First World War at Fort Mott State Park's Great War Weekend. Pte. Laverty represented the 1/5 (Cinque Ports) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, which served as the Divisional Pioneer Battalion for the 48th Div. posted to the Italian front from 1917 to the end of the war. Our other members represented the British Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment, 1° Reggimento Granatieri di Sardegna, Alpini, and US Army. The weather was perfect, visitation was steady throughout the event, and a fine time was had. One of the highlights of the event was being driven in a period truck, in full operational order, which took us around the grounds of the park in the open flatbed. For the third year in a row now, the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment has made the trip to Old Bethpage Village Restoration to bring some British Victorian Christmas cheer during their annual candlelight evening tours. We had Mr. & Mrs. Sherry accompany Privates Parker and McEvoy along with the colonel, set up in the Benjamin House, keeping warm on what was a very cold and windy night. Just like years past, an endless stream of visitors came through steadily for about four hours, and our Society members spoke about the Victorian origins of a number of modern Christmas traditions we enjoy today. From time to time, the redcoats left the Benjamin House to go on a short patrol of the village, visiting the Schenck House, where we were greeted with a full-throated rendition of "God Save the Queen"--all verses--with violins and guitar by the Huntingtonians. Our Yankee friends, Sgt. Barboza and Ms. Martin, joined the five of us at the Benjamin House and shared the latter half of the evening with us, engaging with the waves of visitors coming through the village which was illuminated by countless lanterns. On another patrol visiting the barn, there as a different band, "Stark and Steady," that was somewhat less Anglophilic and struck up "Yankee Doodle" on our arrival. We later identified their concertina player as a deserter from the Royal Navy and fined him for his crime accordingly. This was not in any way a retributive action, of course. While inside the Benjamin House, Mrs. Sherry demonstrated her drop spindle, which was complementary to another demonstrator in the house who had a spinning wheel. The drop spindle, of course, is an ancient and infinitely more portable device which is used to spin fibers into thread, and thereon into yarn. Mr. Sherry provided banter throughout the night and the 2025 season ended on a truly festive and upbeat note just ahead of Christmas. To that end, as the Captain's Blog 2025 Chapter closes, the writer wishes the reader a very happy Christmas and new year to come. Thank you to Pte. Parker and Sgt. Barboza for these pictures and video. The Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce and borough have hosted an annual "Santa Parade" for the last several years, the Royal Sussex Society participating in most of them. The schedule has changed from time to time, going from Saturdays to Fridays, mornings to evenings. This year was a Friday evening, which can be tricky for our members who have to travel a bit, so it was decided that doing a timeline this year might be the most flexible way to get the most people who were able to attend. We have done marched as a timeline in many years, so it is a fun way to show off the Society to the locals amid the Christmas fanfare. This year we had, chronologically, Private Sentinel Stephen P. for the War of Spanish Succession Lord Donegall's Regiment of Foot; Pte. John V.V. for the American Revolution 35th Regiment of Foot, Grenadier Co.; Pte. Ari L.W. for the Napoleonic 35th (Sussex) Regiment of Foot, Grenadier Co.; and Sharon V.V. for the First World War British Red Cross VAD. The parade route was about a half-mile with the streets lined with area residents who came out to wave and cheer to the marchers, most particularly, Santa Claus. Afterward, the mayor illuminated the town's Christmas tree outside the municipal building to cap off the night. The Society withdrew to a local diner to warm up and enjoy something to eat! Being a night-time operation, it was difficult to get pictures. We thank Lynford Morton with TAPinto Hawthorne for the best group shot of us on the march! Your Captain has not seen a crowd at the Retreat to Victory the size and scale of 2025 before. The parking lots were packed and people were being directed to park on side streets not-a-short-distance away! About 10AM, the first of two skirmishes took place, with British forces pushing against the Continental Army over the Hackensack River before the Von Steuben House. The armies then dispersed with mingle with the visitors and a superb lunch was provided by the ladies working in the out-kitchen ("neutral ground" as one of them described the place). The Bergen County Historical Society's event is the second of a two-day weekend event, with Saturday's activities taking place at Fort Lee historic park. The "bridge that saved a nation" is not the original bridge, but it today a key pedestrian crossing over the Hackensack. For us, it was the passage to pursue Washington's retreating army following the Fall of New York and his subsequent withdrawal to seek safety ahead of winter quarters. In the second skirmish of the day, the 35th's King's Colours fluttered overhead as the Guards, 15th Regiment Light Infantry, 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers Grenadiers, 35th Regiment Grenadiers, and 43rd Regiment formed the regular army presence. The 4th Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers represented the provincial or loyalist troops who fought alongside the regulars. Our opposition, the 3rd New Jersey Continentals, Outwater's Militia, and others provided a stiff resistance as the Crown forces made their incursion into Bergen County. A terrific event as always, as we look forward to 2026 which will be the 250th anniversary, and perhaps (somehow) an even bigger program. The Bergen County Historical Society produced a press release following the event. Our thanks to Mr. Jeff Bross for sharing his pictures below. The Fort Tryon Park Conservancy hosted the annual Fall of Fort Washington event on the cafe green of Fort Tryon to mark the 249th anniversary of the capture of Manhattan by the British and Hessian armies. Additionally, a small memorial ceremony was held to mark the passing of our friend, Park Ranger Michael Callahan. A short tribute was offered by Michael Grillo, who portrays General Washington, while the 35th Regiment came to Mourn Arms as the Trenton Fife and Drum Corps played Rosalin Castle. Michael will be deeply missed by us all. Black armbands have been ordered to by worn by the regiment. The public turnout for the event was fantastic, and 2025 has shown what might be a greater increase of interest in living history events as the 250th draws nearer. As always, the Ft. Tryon crowd came with a lot of great questions and interest in their local history. A small skirmish between the 35th Foot and the Continental Army represented the fall of Fort Washington and gave the public an opportunity to see the muskets in action and see how they were handled by 18th Century soldiers. The annual Battle of White Plains Commemoration was held at the Purdy House, hosted by the White Plains Historical Society. We were honored to be a part of the activities there once again, as White Plains was a major battle in the 1776 campaign for the control of New York and the 35th played an active role in the battle. We were joined on the Crown side by the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. Opposite us were the Continentals and militia of Mr. Washington's army. The day began with the raising of the Union Flag and there were ongoing historical demonstrations, music, and a ceremony to remember the fallen American soldiers of the battle. A small skirmish added to the day's events, which drew a large crowd. Our thanks to Mr. Jeff Bross for the pictures he shared below. Unfortunately, bad weather necessitated the cancellation of the Roseland Historical Society Timeline event on October 12.  |
Captain's Blog
Overview of activity, events, and other news for the Royal Sussex Society. Archives
July 2026
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