Blog Posts - Royal Sussex Society - 35th Regiment of Foot

Royal Sussex Society - 35th Regiment of Foot

35th Reg't Encampment at Dey Mansion

7/10/2022

On Saturday, July 10, the 35th Regiment's Grenadiers and ladies returned to Dey Mansion, the first event we have done there since February 2020, just before the coronavirus shut-downs. Unlike our previous encampments at the Mansion, this time we were set up on the front lawn, attracting attention from the cars passing by with the Mansion as a backdrop for our camp setup. We fielded three soldiers and three civilians, making use of the grounds for the rudiments of drill, practicing wheeling, line-to-column, column-into-line, and other maneuvers. The public came in a steady stream of small groups, ensuring that we always had conversations going with the visitors.

We received a lot of interesting questions from a diverse group of people throughout the day. Even though the weather was hot, we had the advantage of our camp fly and the sun shade, an invaluable addition to our camp for when the sun is positioned lower in the sky than our awning.

We were very appreciative of the staff at Dey Mansion who were attentive and friendly, helping us any way they could. All in all, a very successful Revolutionary War event!

Well done by Athena, Jesse, Madison, Tina, and Sharon! Your captain is proud.

Click here to view photos taken by Al Pochek during the event (Facebook link).

Above photos courtesy of Dey Mansion, Washington's Headquarters, Passaic County, NJ.

Cape May Goes Victorian

6/21/2022

The Regiment attended the Military Timeline Event at Historic Cold Spring Village again, as part of our summer tradition. Unfortunately, two of our members originally planning to go were unable to at the last minute, so our showing was a little small, but that did not prevent us from having a good time. Usually this event is marked by high temps and extreme humidity, but this year the weather was in the 70s with low humidity--and few to no bugs! A particularly comfortable event, to say the least.

We have been set up in one particular area for the past several years, but as we were doing late Victorian this time, and a few of our friends were also doing late Victorian near the entrance of the site, we decided to join them and relocate our display. Thus, instead of having two small displays of one time, we had one larger one. This also meant that others could go explore the site and other exhibits while people were still in camp to keep an eye on everything. Nobody was ever left alone "minding the store."

On Saturday we were told about 300 visitors passed through and we spoke with a number of different groups that passed by, curious about the British Empire and Her Majesty's finest. Our display consisted of our civilian Kim, our nurse Sharon, and enlisted soldiers for the 35th Royal Sussex in the Egypt Campaign, 72nd Highlanders in the 2nd Anglo-Afghan War, plus the Derbyshire Regiment and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the 2nd Boer War.

Victorian Spring Opener Returns to Ringwood

5/2/2022

Before the Great Plague struck, the 35th had had small events at Ringwood Manor to coincide with the opening of the spring season--often in tandem with a Victorian baseball game being held on the grounds. This year, we were able to bring that back, and this year was our biggest Opener to date! With 10 members of the Society present, plus some late-Victorian guests, we ran a late 1830s display with all the trappings Victoriana. Our redcoats made a fine showing, as did our ladies, and we talked with visitors about the era in which Ringwood Manor was occupied by the Ryerson family, before passing to the Hewitts in the 1850s.

With beautiful weather, we were delighted to be back at Ringwood after such a long hiatus. This was also the first time we brought the early Victorian impression to the grounds of the manor and we were well-received!

Royal Sussex Society Turns 20!

4/24/2022

To recognize the Society's milestone 20th anniversary, we held a special party in the parish hall of St. Clement's Episcopal Church on St. George's Day. We were fortunate that this year, St. George's Day fell on a Saturday, so April 23 was, in fact, the real date for the occasion. A number of our members attended and we had food, drinks, and camaraderie with our fellows, many of whom we have not seen all together in quite some time. Some of our thematic decor included white and red balloons, England flags, and our inflatable dragon.

The captain briefly explained the significance behind the Christian holiday and why St. George is the patron saint of England and many other countries. Her Majesty the Queen was likewise toasted, recognizing her historic Platinum Jubilee year. During the course of our afternoon lunch, Pte. Jesse G. was recognized for his meritorious service, dedication, and commitment to the regiment over the years with a certificate and the thanks of his fellow 35th'ers.

Among the highlights in the church hall was a display of the Regimental Silver and a cake which we had custom printed with our new 20th anniversary logo.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made our regimental lunch a success!

East Jersey Old Town Occupation

4/3/2022

The East Jersey Old Town site in Pistcataway, NJ, held its occupation event which saw British and Loyalist troops in the village of preserved historic buildings, engaging with the public and doing activities one might see in a garrison environment. There were crafters, a blacksmith, cooking demos, drill and marching, musketry demos, fife playing, and a cannon. The Crown forces on hand were the 35th Regiment, the 22nd Regiment, the Brigade of Guards (fellow grenadiers!), Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment, some 4th NJ Volunteers, and the artillery unit. Our favorite opposition, the 2nd New Jersey, came "in mufti"--that is to say, in civvies, since to appear in uniform would invite instant arrest by His Majesty's forces.

The weather was on the cold side, but wool has its advantages in the brisk weather.

Captain Tom Vilardi was the officer, our own captain being replaced by his identical twin in the ranks. Recently-promoted Corporal Tom Carton had his debut of commanding a combined section in drill. Our civilians were Sharon, Madison, Rebecca, and Tom Senior. With Jesse also in ranks, we had 3 soldiers, which was about the size of the other British units. The loyalist militia were the largest force with about 5 or 6.

The captain's writing chest had a number of loyalty oaths which we filled out for visitors--just to make sure they attested that they were on the lawful side. Our camp also featured our new fly shelf for the first time. This was essentially a suspended plank which was painted light blue like our poles. It was another surface to keep things off the ground such as bearskins when not in use, keeping them cleaner.

The museum on the site has a mannequin dressed as a 35th Regiment soldier in its display case. The 35th was in the Raritan area and they had recovered a 35th button, also on display, so EJOT has a very solid, direct connection to our regiment.

We brought our own cold rations, including hard boiled eggs, cheese, sausage, bread, etc. but the site had also invited a smoked meats truck and an ice cream truck. Yours truly made sure to sample the pulled pork and cole slaw, to make sure everything was up to standards. (It was!)

Our first sizable Revolutionary War event since Fort Tryon in November, we had not been to the site before. This was a lot of fun and the consensus was that we would definitely like to do more activities there in the future. For most of our members, it was easy to get to, coming from the north down NJ Rt 287 and more or less there. We got to see old friends, make new friends, and had a great time.

We salute the staff of EJOT for having us, our fellow Rev War units, and all our members who attended!

Photo by Jeff Bross

Photo by Sharon Van Vliet

Photo by Sharon Van Vliet

Photo by Jeff Bross

Photo by Rebecca Cataldi

Too Much Winter for Winter Victorian Garrison

3/13/2022

One thing that we cannot control, no matter how much we plan and organize, is the weather. The difficulty with winter planning particularly is snow, and while the week leading up to the event was fine, we had predictions of a tough snow storm for March 12, the day of our event. In the end, we decided to cancel the event with Willow Hall and the decision was a good one. We were hit by several inches of snow and the roads were less than ideal for driving on. Additionally, a St. Patrick's Day parade in Morristown had apparently been scheduled the same day and they, too, had to reschedule. So, the best laid plans of mice and redcoats...

We are looking forward to participating in the East Jersey Old Town Revolutionary War occupation weekend in the beginning of April. Willow Hall is also on our schedule for a repeat of the October Victoria and Albert Celebration, so we shall return!

Social Sewing Session a Success

2/9/2022

Last week several of our members got together to run a sewing session to work on various projects at a local Episcopal Church (the Yankee version of the Church of England). It was also a good opportunity to see each other again and catch up during the slow winter months.

Most of the projects being worked on were for our American Revolution and 1830s Victorian impressions. The Lance Corporal cut out all the parts for a new uniform coat while our ladies worked on their dresses and petticoats. Buttons and badges were the business of the day for one gentleman while another worked on hand sewing a linen haversack in which to store rations. The captain finished off some Victorian forage caps, bearskin badges, altered trousers, and provided the lunch for the occasion.

Notice of Regimental Promotions

1/23/2022

By the Captain's recommendation, with the approval of the Executive Committee of the Royal Sussex Society:

Mr. Thomas C. Carton is promoted from acting-corporal to Corporal of His Majesty's 35th Regiment of Foot, Grenadier Company - Revolutionary War section.

Mr. Michael J. Grillo is promoted from private soldier to Lance Corporal of Her Majesty's 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot, Grenadier Company - Early Victorian section.

Corporal Carton and Lance Corporal Grillo are hereby empowered with the authorities of their respective ranks and entrusted with the responsibilities of the same. Tom Carton, a member of the Royal Sussex Society for the last 12 years, has demonstrated exceptional dedication, knowledge, research, and committed no small amount of time and energy to the 35th Regiment. Tom serves in every time period of the Society and has done so commendably. He served as the head of the Society's Napoleonic/1812 Bicentennial efforts from 2012-2015 and spearheaded research on the regiment during the Indian Mutiny and its participation with the Nile Expedition Camel Corps. Tom's energy, passion, and example make him a fine section leader.

Corporal Carton has earned the following Society awards: The Waterloo Medal, India Mutiny Medal, Egypt 1882 Medal, Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, and Queen's South Africa Medal.

Mike Grillo has been part of the Royal Sussex Society since its earliest days as a key advisor and supporter. As a museum educator, professional historical interpreter, and student of the British army, Mike brings some 28 years of reenactment experience, having served in the line, as an NCO, and as an officer during his time. A talented tailor with an eye for detail, Mike's leadership will serve our early Victorians well.

Lance Corporal Grillo has earned the following Society awards: Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal and Long Service & Good Conduct stripe.

January 2022 Meeting in the Books

1/18/2022

On January 16, the Royal Sussex Society conducted its annual meeting. Once again, it was carried out via Zoom, but this allowed for 15 members to attend in the comfort of their own homes. The year ahead has a lot of potential and the Society has a vibrant schedule of events!

35th Royal Sussex Marches in 2021 Christmas Night Parade

12/4/2021

Hawthorne, NJ, restored their Christmas Parade this year since it had to be canceled in 2020. However, in addition to bringing the parade back, they also resumed the night time format again. In the past, the parade began Friday night and ended with the borough Christmas tree lighting. We would typically then have a unit Christmas party after that. Then, the format was switched where the tree lighting was done on Friday night and the parade was held on Saturday morning. Unique and atmospheric, the night time parade came back and the 35th Royal Sussex Regiment made its debut parade with the largest turn-out of 1830s Victorians so far. The ladies--Sharon and Athena--carried our new Society banner, followed by the captain, our Ensign Shane, and four soldiers with fixed bayonets. We remained for the tree lighting to celebrate with the town, then regrouped to go to a nearby diner to eat and end the day's festivities.

Waiting for the parade to start.

Marching down Lafayette Avenue (Photo by Lynford Morton)

Marching down Lafayette (Photo by Lynford Morton)

End of the Parade (Photo by Lynford Morton)

Pte. Carton, Pte. Pena, Pte. Pellegrini, Sjt. Grillo, Capt. Van Vliet, Ens. Paules, Mrs. Van Vliet, Mrs. Wu.

Mrs. Van Vliet, Private Pena, Private Pellegrini, Ensign Paules, Private Carton, Sjt. Grillo, Mrs. Wu.

Privates Pena (with Best Musketry Award), Pellegrini, Carton (with Waterloo Medal), and Sjt. Grillo making up the Thin Red Line.