The Diggers Living History Group

Bovington Tank Museum Wartime Christmas Festival 2012

Bovington Tank Museum Wartime Christmas Festival is on the 1st and 2nd December 2012 - The Diggers Living History group will be manning the museum's trench system in WWI Australian AIF uniform along with members of the WWI Gordons and some German Imperial Army troops.

The Victory Show 2012

8th and 9th September 2012
Here are a few photos taken at The Victory Show this past weekend. Lofty and Joey were there in an independent commando role in the Far East theatre of operations.

Crich Edwardian Weekend

Digger and Blue a great day at Crich on Saturday 14th July. Nice and relaxing, promenading about like a pair of cockerels. A visit to the pub was greatly received where we met Gary, an Aussie who was in the Army Reserves like Snowy was. We heckled the Sufferegettes and gave some rise to the 'Kilted' Foot and Mouth regiment. All in all a good day out for the Diggers. Next event is The Victory Show.

TankFest 2012

Another excellent event at Tankfest 2012. The Diggers Living History Group portrayed a short section of trench at Pozieres held by elements of the 24th Battalion AIF circa 1917 and participated in the WW1 mock battles on each day. Here is a selection of photos, with more available here.

Overlord 2012

Here is a selection of photos of the Overlord 2012 event held on the long weekend June 1st to June 4th. Members of the Diggers Living History Group were portraying the WW1 Digger on the Western Front. Good one Digger, Blue, Lofty and Joey! Thanks also to Debra Parry and Mo for some of the photos.

More photos can be seen here.

2012 Events

The Diggers Living History Group are participating in the following 2012 events:

1. OVERLORD 2012 is being held from the 1st June to the 4th June at The Lawns, Mead End, Waterlooville, Hants PO7 6TZ. This is a four day event.

2. TANKFEST 2012 is being held from the 30th June to 1st July. This will be the 10th Anniversary of the event at The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG

3. THE VICTORY SHOW is being held from the 8th Sept to the 9th Sept at Foxlands Farm, Cosby, Leicestershire, LE9 1SG

We look forward to seeing you there.

11/11/11 - Lest we forget

Diggers member Blue wore Australian WW1 Light Horse uniform to the Remembrance Day ceremony. Some photos are kindly taken and provided by Mike Johnson. Thanks Mike.

About Us

We are a group portraying aspects of the Australian Army during World War I and II. We have portrayed Australian Soldiers (Diggers) in the Western Desert (1940-1943), Australian Defence Volunteers and during the Kokoda campaign. In 2012 we are also portraying 24th Battalion AIF.

The 24th Battalion was formed in May 1915 at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria. It sailed shortly afterwards from Melbourne for further training in Egypt then went on to Gallipoli. From there it went via Egypt to France, taking part in its first major offensive around Pozières and Mouquet Farm in July and August 1916. In May 1917 the battalion participated in the second battle of Bullecourt. It was involved for only a single day, the 3rd May, but suffered almost 80 per cent casualties. It helped turn back the April 1918 German offensive and participated in the battles of Hamel amd Amiens. At Mont St Quentin the 24th played a major role by recapturing the main German strong point atop the summit on 1 September. The battalion’s last battles were at Beaurevoir on 3 October and Montbrehain on 5 October. It left the front on the 6th October 1918 and was disbanded in 1919. Later it reformed as part of the CMF and in 1939 the 24th Battalion was merged with the 39th Battalion, which saw service on the Kokoda track.

Sources: 24th Battalion http://www.awm.gov.au and 24th Battalion (Australia) Wikipedia

Formed in 2009. We are members of AFRA.

Regards John, Barry, Colin, Rod, Rob, James, Andy and friends.