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Formed in 1971, La Garde is the oldest UK based Napoleonic Re-enactment society, and the oldest such organisation in Europe. We depict the foot artillery of the Guard. We are unique in the UK and Europe, in that we depict a French Napoleonic Guard Artillery Unit, and we have four full size guns. Our guns are the largest guns in use today in Napoleonic re-enactment in Europe and UK. Our gunners have been in action at most of the major battle re-enactments of the last 20years in Europe, and will be attending most if, not all of the Bi-centennial re-enactments.
Association Britannique de La Garde Imperiale - Artillerie offers membership to anyone interested in this period, to explain to the public the importance of this period of history by means of displays, exhibitions, lectures, visits etc.
We offer recruits a unique role in re-enactment, though not as 'up close and personal' as infantry or cavalry, that is equally as exciting and physically demanding. Foot artillery was not static, and the guns of the original regiment, got up close and shot fast into the enemies line, which is a tradition we continue; our quick shooting is renowned throughout re-enactment, as is our eye to detail and quality of our recreations.
We are unique in that we depict a heavy artillery battery from the Napoleonic period in all its facets from the artisans, to the artillery train, the cannoniers, drummers, sapeurs and the equally important regimental women, children and civilians; all these roles in La Garde are all important and critical to the operation of the group.