Fort Henry Drill

[genericview]

May have lost a 24 of beer on this one as I can not prove it, but does anyone remember a style of drill called Fort Henry Drill?  I am sure that some branch of the service was doing this in the 70's (likely as part of ceremonial duty).  I swear I saw units do it but can not remember where.  Any help? 

 

[BernDawg]

http://www.forthenry.com/home.htm

Ring any bells?

 

[genericview]

I will smack myself for not searching before I posted that but that only answers half the question so I guess so far I can claim half my case of beer.  Did any unit that you guys know of in the 70s ever tour Canada doing this drill?

 

[x-grunt]

Well, the Fort Henry Guard tours, or at least they used to. They are quite impressive. Couldn't say for sure about any CF regiment, although the Queen's Own Rifles had a ceremonial/historical guard some time ago if I remember rightly. They date back to about the right time period, 1860's.

 

[genericview]

outstanding... printing this now to go collect my beer.  Thanks guys.

 

[IrishCanuck]

All in a days work for the fine people at army.ca !

:cheers:

 

[a78jumper]

At RMC in the late 70s there was a drill team that performed the night before grad at the Retreat Ceremony at was as I recall "Old 18 Drill Team", which performed drill common to the Army/Militia in 1876. Believe it incorporated many movements used by Ft Henry.

 

[FredDaHead]

At RMC in the late 70s there was a drill team that performed the night before grad at the Retreat Ceremony at was as I recall "Old 18 Drill Team", which performed drill common to the Army/Militia in 1876. Believe it incorporated many movements used by Ft Henry.

We still have that, though we call it the Sunset ceremony, now. It's not terribly impressive as we had (last year, at least) only one week or so to prepare, so although it looked like old-school drill it wasn't perfect like you'd expect from a dedicated show team.

 

[geo]

Ft Henry drill would be, in fact, drill movements used bythe British army in the mid 1800s.  IE, before the breach loading rifles.

Fort St Hellens & the Stewart museum support two period drill teams
78th Fraser Highlanders
Compagnie Franche de la Marine

Though their drill is more in keeping with the time of the "conquest" (1760+/-)......


Oh yeah - the Compagnie Franche de la Marine now has a detachment operation out of Old Quebec city & I think there are chapters of the 78th Frasers all around North America

 

[Kirkhill]

"The Thin Red Line. As solid as the foundation they march on. Fort Henry Crimson called to order by the bugle, fife and drum. Eyes and bayonets fixed. The enemy dead ahead. Snider Enfields afire and cannons ablaze. All senses tell you it’s 1867. "
http://www.kingstonkiosk.com/kingston-tour/Fort-Henry.php

Actually the Snider-Enfield, as used by the FHG, was IIRC, the British Army's first generally issued breech loader using fixed ammunition.  It was originally a conversion of the Enfield rifled musket  with a Snider breech assembly added.  It was new to service in 1867, the year the FHG commemorates.

Also, IIRC from a bit of time spent with them and having come to a halt as a Sea Cadet, an FHG trainee, a Calgary Highlander and a Regina Rifle I recall their halt as being distinctive.  It started on the wrong foot and added a step. Instead of a two-count halt "Halt, One, Two"  it was "Halt, Check, Drag, Crack" with the sound of 40 or so Ammunition Boots grating across the parade square before the right foot slammed down.

Does that sound familiar to anyone?

 

[genericview]

I think I heard a dozen RSM's just pass out.  Sounds like a cool step.

The Sneider certainly has a history and I kick myself for allowing a Strat Capt. "steal" one from under my nose as I was distracted on a saddle.  What a mistake as I find you can get a saddle much easier then one of these babies.  Something I regret to this day.

 

[geo]

All highland units (at least those wearing kilts) have a drag step thrown in for their halt.

 

[Siggywife]

Also, IIRC from a bit of time spent with them and having come to a halt as a Sea Cadet, an FHG trainee, a Calgary Highlander and a Regina Rifle I recall their halt as being distinctive.  It started on the wrong foot and added a step. Instead of a two-count halt "Halt, One, Two"  it was "Halt, Check, Drag, Crack" with the sound of 40 or so Ammunition Boots grating across the parade square before the right foot slammed down.

Does that sound familiar to anyone?

Ah yes the older days.. I taught as a cadet as Check Check Bang.. But close enough.. Alot of the riffle drill has changed as well the kids are learning enfield drill as to the CF, most corps are still using the 22's.. I am unsure if they are still doing the Sunset Cermony it has been a few years since I left..LOL

Siggy