17th Regiment King's Colour
With well over twenty living history organizations portraying British regulars in existence today, there scarcely seems any need for more units representing British troops. So why should anyone want to create one more unit? What is it that sets Clayton's Company apart from the rest? I like to think it is our unit philosophy.
In the living history community, the quality of one's impression is often judged by the amount and quality of the research and documentation, the quality of the material culture reproductions, and the objective and dedication of the unit. Research and reproductions are things that can be bought- for the right price, any unit can have first class documentation and superb uniforms and equipment. But the one thing money can't buy is the unit dynamic, which is the source of Clayton's Company's distinctiveness. Most units' objective is to recreate the life and times of the common soldier during the American War, 1775-1783. However, the term "recreate" is fraught with peril. Because of the many changes that have occurred in the intervening 225 years, accurately recreating a unit from the American War of Independence is impossible. The best one can hope for is a vague approximation, better in some areas than in others: uniforms, equipment, and to a certain extent even behavior can be accurately reproduced with a surprising degree of accuracy. But no one can accurately recreate the effects of disease, injury, and exposure to the elements without risking life and limb, as very few sane people are willing to do.
Bearing this in mind, Clayton's Company's objective is to commemorate the service of the men and women of His Majesty's 17th Regiment of Foot to the very best of our abilities. We are primarily concerned with respecting and honoring the 17th Regiment alone and always keep in mind that everything we do, no matter how trivial, reflects on the honor and memory of the real regiment. To this end, we pledge to do our very best, within the limits imposed upon us, to accurately represent the soldiers and camp followers of the 17th Regiment in uniform, equipment, discipline, and overall behavior.
Accurately portraying the 17th Regiment entails using detailed reproductions of regimental uniforms and equipment, conducting painstaking research, and maintaining a singularity of purpose and devotion. We reproduce equipment from surviving eighteenth century examples whenever possible (otherwise using written or pictorial descriptions), using techniques and materials that mirror those of the period. Excruciating research is required and carried out to establish behavioral norms for the period, in order to insure that we are portraying the regiment as accurately as we can. Unit members must have a keen interest in and a devotion to the British Army in general and the regiment in particular, and be willing to comply with documented practices as much as possible. This means sleeping in properly-constructed tents and brush shelters, cooking and eating from camp kettles, maintaining strict military discipline on the field and refraining from anachronistic practices at all times.
While our standards are high, and we do consider ourselves an elite unit that is not appropriate to everyone's needs, we are also dedicated to educating people about the regiment and the British Army during the American War. The company is designed so that people with a slight interest in the history can visit us for a few events, experience what we are about, and then decide whether they wish to join us or not. Educational materials are kept on hand and full instruction is given to all recruits, both soldiers and camp followers, in the skills and behavior appropriate to their impression. We are always looking for men and women with the necessary dedication and interest to join our unit. The regimental motto, "Veni et Vici" (I came and I conquered), accurately sums up what we are about and what we expect from our members. We intend to be the finest British regular battalion company impression in the living history hobby and hope you will consider joining us if you're up to the task. I hope you enjoy the website and extend a personal invitation for you to contact any one of us if you have further questions about the regiment, the army, or the hobby in general.
February 2003
Copyright WPTIII, 2007.