   
    
Members of 4th
Wilts at Arromanches 6th June 2006
Welcome to the 4th
Wiltshire's
We actively portray men from the 4th Battalion
of the Wiltshire Regiment and our aim is to recreate as closely as possible the day to day
life of the average "Tommy" living in the field during WW2.
Our principal interest is the Normandy campaign and the scenario for our display is a
typical rest area, just to the rear of the front line during the battle for Hill 112. Here
you might find us cleaning or repairing our weapons and equipment, enjoying a cooked meal,
reading or writing a letter home, playing football or just catching up on some well earned
rest. In fact any activity the World War Two Tommy might have participated in during a
break from combat, including taking a bath in a tarpaulin lined trench.
 We
give the public the opportunity to see for themselves the conditions the Tommy had to live
in and to view the types of uniforms, weapons, equipment and vehicles with which he had to
fight.
We have had the good fortune to meet and speak to many veterans of the 43rd Division, some
of whom actually served in the Wiltshire Regiment, We've been privileged to listen as they
recalled stories and memories of their experience of WW2. It's also very rewarding when
they acknowledge our groups efforts in portraying them.
The 4th Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment
together with the 5th Battalion Wiltshire's and 4th Battalion of the Somerset Light
Infantry, formed the 129th Infantry Brigade, the senior of three Infantry Brigades that
made up the infantry arm of the 43rd Wessex Division.
One of the finest Infantry Divisions of World War Two, the 43rd Wessex arrived in Normandy
following the D-Day invasion and it wasn't long before it was thrust into battle. 
The Division was involved in some of the fiercest Battles of the Normandy campaign
and indeed the war. It was during this bitter fighting that the Division earned the
nickname "Yellow Dragons" from the Germans, in reference to the Divisions Wyvern
insignia. Most notable of these battles was the fighting to take control of the high
ground south of Caen known as Hill 112. Its fitting therefore that we chose this period
for our portrayal and it's also here that the Division has it's memorial.
We have developed this
website initially to allow people to find out about us and offer a point of contact. Its
hoped to increase the site over time with pages on our vehicles, uniforms, equipment etc,
so please visit us again and see what's new.
e-mail us
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