Mission Statement

The 40th Regiment of Foot Society

MISSION STATEMENT: To energise Nova Scotians of the 21st Century by reaching back to our roots in the 18th Century, by animating and celebrating our past and preparing the groundwork for our future. To provide a common ground for fun, fellowship, and service for the benefit of all Nova Scotians.

MEANS to the OBJECTIVE: We intend to offer an opportunity to all people in Nova Scotia to join with us in a Society that will allow them to show what they have to offer to our province, and to each other. The focus of our efforts will be in re-creating specific aspects of our history. Building on this, we will encourage our members to use their talents and energies for the greater good of Nova Scotia as a whole, and the wider world beyond our borders.

MEMBERSHIP: The Society is potentially open to any person who can show a connection to Nova Scotia, be it by history, genealogy, residence or sentiment. All applications for membership in the Society will be at the discretion of the local Company (or directly to the Regimental Staff if on-line or out-of-province) but no potential member can be denied on the basis of citizenship, residence, sex or sexual orientation, economic status, disability, religion or creed, race or heritage. Persons under the age of majority may not be able to participate in certain activities under the Society's insurance policy.

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP: The Society is also potentially open to any existing or future historical re-enactment group in Nova Scotia. All applications for affiliate status will be at the discretion of the Regimental Staff, but no application for affiliation can be denied on the basis of citizenship, residence, sex or sexual orientation, economic status, disability, religion or creed, race or heritage. Affiliate groups will be encouraged to form Companies along the lines of The 40th Regiment of Foot Charter, but this will not be mandatory.

DUES: For complete information on Membership options, visit our membership page here.

ACTIVITIES: Members are encouraged to participate in the living history aspect of the Society by becoming re-enactors of The 40th Regiment of Foot, circa 1751. This may be done in a number of ways.

Re-enacting The Regiment - The primary goal of the Regiment is to recreate the foot soldiers who made up the rank and file of Philipps' 40th Regiment. Volunteers for this duty will be expected to dress, arm and equip themselves according to the guidelines laid down by the Regimental Staff (see below), to learn to handle their arms in a safe and responsible manner, and to serve as often as possible in their role at public events and private occasions as organised by the Regiment. Promotion through the ranks will be granted over time to those soldiers who have shown a commitment to the duties of the Regiment.
    Camp Followers, the spouses and children of the soldiers, are also considered to be on the strength of the Regiment, and have equal rights and responsibilities as any soldier, although their duties will be different and they are excused from bearing arms. The dress and duties of Camp Followers will also be laid own by the Regimental Staff.
    There are also a limited number of positions available for specialist roles, such as musicians (drummers and fifers), engineers, gunners, surgeons and surgeon's mates, and chaplains.

Re-enacting the Militia - Those members who are unable to make the commitment to service in the Regiment proper may volunteer as members of the Militia. This role may also appeal to people who already own a non-Brown Bess period musket, as it will allow them to re-enact without buying a new gun. Militia volunteers will be expected to dress in appropriate civilian clothing of the period and to arm and equip themselves in a manner approved by the Regimental Staff, and to learn to handle their arms in a safe and responsible manner. Camp Followers to the Militia will follow essentially the same guidelines as Camp Followers of the Regiment.
    As well, the Regiment extends an invitation to Allies of the Mi'kmaq Nation to join in this recreation of our mutual heritage.

Re-enacting Civilians of the Period - There are many alternative Civilian roles for those Members whose interests are not directed towards military life. The Regiment will require the services of horse-drawn and ox-drawn transport drivers, tailors, leather-workers, blacksmiths, suttlers, and etc. The Regiment wishes to provide a market for those crafts-persons and artisans who can provide period-authentic goods and services to the Society. As well, any other members who wish to play a civilian role in re-enactment are welcome.

GOALS of RE-ENACTMENT: First of all, re-enacting is just plain fun. Re-enacting allows us to enjoy the good parts of being a soldier -- comradeship, life in the outdoors, good food, making things go 'bang' -- without any of the nasty stuff like shooting at other people and getting shot at yourself. Bear in mind that most of the years the 40th Reg't. was in Nova Scotia were years of peace, and their activities would not have been much different than ours.
    At the same time, re-enacting can benefit our province more generally, by bringing our history to life before the general public.

Observing our History - The Regiment will take every opportunity to commemorate the history of our province by observing special events. Significant anniversaries, such as the 250th anniversary of the battle of Louisbourg, or the 250th anniversary of the founding of Yarmouth, will be attended. Marching in Natal Day parades will animate our history and help publicise our activities. Where possible, the last resting places of members of the original 40th Foot will be identified, and those men and women will be honoured with ceremonies and special grave markers.
    Today's West Nova Scotia Regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces has had a long-standing affiliation with the Duke of Lancaster Regiment of the British Army, the successor to the original 40th Foot. We would wish to establish an affiliation to both of these modern-day corps, in an effort to help bring their history to life.

Tourism - The tourism industry in Nova Scotia today needs a boost, to get more visitors and to give them a more interesting and enjoyable stay so they come back and encourage their friends to do so, too. Living history programs, like that of the Regiment, can be a big part of this. We have many interesting historic sites, but without re-enactors to make those sites come alive, they are dead and uninteresting to many people. The Society is dedicated to bringing history to life in Halifax, Annapolis Royal, Canso, Windsor, Ft. Beauséjour, Louisbourg, and anywhere else we can add to the experience of visitors to help revitalise Nova Scotia as a tourist destination, for the economic benefit of everyone. We will do this through encampments, displays, mounting guard, and conducting guided tours if qualified to do so. We will also explore the possibility of hiring summer students as re-enactors for these sites and providing leadership, training and equipment for this purpose.

Education - The young people of our province need encouragement to study the history of their homeland, to encourage their interest in where they came from and where they may go. Re-enacting their history, and giving them pride in their heritage, is an important contribution to recognising their worth as citizens of our province. Living history brings the past “alive” in a way that books, videos and lectures simply can't. Qualified members will be made available to all schools for talks and displays about what we represent and the role played by the Regiment in the early history of our province.
    We should also encourage those students with talent in this direction to realize the potential to become suppliers to the living history movement, as a career choice. And at some point the Regiment plans to establish a scholarship fund to annually assist one or more deserving students of history in furthering their studies at the university level.

Industry - Living history is a hobby that is growing steadily around the world. These hobbyists, including our Regiment, need a wide range of goods and services that aren't widely available. At present we are lucky that there is one supplier of authentic 18th century reproductions in Nova Scotia, Loyalist Arms, and what this company can supply is important, but not unlimited. For the present, members of the Regiment will have to buy much of what they need from suppliers in Ontario, the U.S., and elsewhere. We want to see this change by providing an economic opportunity for local craftspeople. Those craftspeople will also be able to offer their goods to the broader Living History community, as well as movie producers, museums, etc.
    On a related note, film-making has become an important industry in Nova Scotia in the past 15 years or so, and those film-makers need locally available talents and resources. There is the possibility that we could help attract historical drama or documentary production if we can offer a large group of re-enactors trained in 18th century military arms and drill. The Regiment will develop a relationship with the Nova Scotia Film Development Corp. so it can make film producers aware of what we have to offer.

PRESENT-DAY ACTIVITIES: As a Service Club, the members of The 40th Regiment of Foot Society are also encouraged to participate in a range of activities in the here-and-now, for the benefit of ourselves and our fellow citizens. These activities will not require period dress, but it may be optional in certain circumstances.

Ground Search and Rescue Special Reserve - Members are encouraged to get basic training from the Emergency Measures Organization to serve as Ground Searchers in special circumstances. The Regiment will establish an agreement with EMO that members will not be on first call for search, but may be called upon when first responders require extra help. It is assumed that members enjoy being in the outdoors and the woods, and have a good degree of physical fitness. Members will be expected to provide their own outdoor clothing and minimal equipment for ground search. As well, members are encouraged to complete St. John's Ambulance First Aid training (or equivalent) for this role and for general service.

Physical Activity - In the 18th century, getting from one place to another generally meant walking. Obviously this would include the members of a Regiment of Foot. The men and women of the original 40th walked literally from one end of this province to the other. Today, we want to encourage Nova Scotians of all ages to get up on their feet and get out walking in the great outdoors. Walking is a great way to stay in shape, and it costs almost nothing. We hope to boost the fun factor of fitness through special events (see below). We also encourage all members to volunteer with their local Rails-to-Trails committee, and any other community groups that promote walking fitness.

Environmental Awareness - As we become more and more aware of the damage our way of life is doing to our environment, many people are looking for alternatives. We believe there is a lot to learn from how our ancestors lived in earlier times. While no-one would advocate turning back the clock, and separating ourselves from the benefits of modern science and medicine, we think we can learn from the 18th century how to lessen our impact on the earth, and live in ways that are more sustainable.

Shooting - All members re-enacting the Regiment or the Militia will have to own a musket, and many will not be content at simply firing blanks at encampments or other events. Firing live “ball” ammunition on approved firearms ranges will be of interest to many. Target shooting with a smooth-bore is very challenging. Many 20th century historians seem to have exaggerated the inaccuracy of the smooth-bore, and one of our purposes as living historians is to put the ideas of the academics to practical test, to get a better idea of what really happened on the battlefields in earlier times.

Charitable Causes - Our Regiment intends to become a registered charity itself, but one of our goals is also to help other good causes in our communities. There is an obvious and natural fit with historical societies, museums, cultural centres, and so on. We also should support charities that share our present-day goals, such as EMO and health charities like the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.
One possible fundraising/public awareness event could be an annual Regimental March-A-Thon. The Regiment would re-enact an historical march, for example from Fort Edward in Windsor to the Citadel in Halifax, along the old Highway #1. This 50-mile route could be covered fairly easily in 5 days. Marchers would collect pledges in advance. Camp equipment, supplies, water, and the Camp Followers would be carried by a horse-drawn wagon, and there would be nightly campsites laid out in advance. The marchers would parade in step, with colours and music, through the centre of each community along the route. In addition, some member could blog the march on a daily basis, with photos and diary, so anyone could follow our progress over the internet. The public visibility and boost to recruiting should be tremendous. Finally, the funds raised would be split with an appropriate charity.

Fun and Society - Last but far from least, the Regiment will be a place for socialising and enjoyment for members and their guests. Good food, good drink, good conversation, games, music, dance, and other pleasures, all in keeping as much as possible with the spirit of the 18th century. As the spirit grows, it may become possible for the Regiment, and even individual Companies, to establish meeting halls in their communities, where members may join together in activities, either in or out of uniform, on a monthly, weekly or even daily basis.