There is a resident Victorian re-enactment unit at Southsea Castle - The Fort Cumberland Guard - who portray the Royal Marines of 1860. They put on excellent displays of musket drill and cannon firing on many weekends during the summer season and always draw large crowds. They usually begin their display by marching in to the castle accompanied by their fifes and drums and with colours flying.

The Fort Cumberland Guard Corps of Drums
Click image to enlarge

The Fort Cumberland Guard

The Fort Cumberland Guard was formed in 1965 by the Fort Cumberland and Portsmouth Militaria Society who at that time were based in Fort Cumberland, a unique 19th. century artillery fortress on the Eastney Peninsula of Portsea Island, Portsmouth built to defend the entrance to Langstone Harbour.

The Guard was originally formed to present a colourful "living history" display for tourists, and at a time when this was not as well-known a concept as we now know it to be. Many, many societies have since been formed with similar aims and many re-create battles, but the Fort Cumberland Guard have remained true to their early ideals and still try to faithfully portray the life and work of a sea-soldier of the 1830 to 1860 period. The Guard moved to its present home and headquarters in the historic Southsea Castle in 1994, from where, in 1545, Henry VIII watched the sinking of his favourite ship the Mary Rose.

The Guard originally wore the uniforms and accoutrements of the Royal Marines of the 1830/40 period, which were chosen because the Royal Marines have a very close association with Portsmouth and in particular with Fort Cumberland.. Since 1992 the Guard has also worn the 1860 undress uniform to use as a "working rig" when at local forts like Fort Nelson, Fort Brockhurst, Nothe Fort in Weymouth, the Eastbourne Redoubt or when aboard HMS Warrior (1860) . The Fort Cumberland Guard Corps of Drums wear this uniform as their first choice , whilst the Infantry section prefer the more ornate 1830/40 uniform.

The Infantry tunics are cut to the double-breasted, tail-coated and high collared Prussian design that was adopted by the British Army after the battle of Waterloo, These are worn with the usual navy blue serge trousers with a single red stripe, or when in summer rig, with white duck trousers. Headgear is the bell-topped shako and the shako plate is a copy of the regulation pattern of the day, but with the Guardís own "City of Portsmouth" device surmounting the outline of Fort Cumberland.

Each man is equipped with a muzzle-loading percussion musket of British or Indian origin. Each musket is 4ft7in (1.5m) long and weighs 9llb (4kg) and with the 17in (0.5m) bayonet attached the total length of the weapon is increased to over 6ft. (2m) which was a great advantage in close quarter combat and for which there is a special drill known as "haymaking".

The Corps of Drums wear the later 1860 undress uniform with the later pattern shako. They provide martial music for the Guard when on parade or on the march, and also provide musical entertainment for the visiting public during display days or weekends.

Many such displays are provided by the Fort Cumberland Guard during the summer season at Southsea Castle and at other venues as already mentioned above. During a typical display day there will be exhibitions of musket drill with blank charges being fired, cannon drill when the cannon is also fired with a blank charge, a conducted tour and informative talk on the artillery at Southsea Castle, and various other military ceremonies such as the "Ceremony of the Keys" which usually ends the day. As already mentioned the Corps of Drums also provide musical entertainment on these days.

The Fort Cumberland Guard are regularly invited to the many Trafalgar Night celebrations in the Portsmouth Naval community and provide a colourful and nostalgic link to the event being celebrated on that night. They also parade at various charity events during the year such as the Lord Mayor's Parade in Portsmouth and the Forestersí Christmas Charity Display at Port Solent.

In June l997 and July 1998 members of the Fort Cumberland Guard went to the USA as guests of the 1797 US Marine re-enactment unit aboard USS Constitution at Massachusetts. . They took part in the "turn around cruises" on both occasions, when the historic vessel is turned around in order to balance exposure to the prevailing climate.

Commander C.A.Melhuish visiting the Fort Cumberland Guard
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The Commanding Officer of the USS Constitution, Commander C.A.Melhuish, was educated in the UK and has family connections in the South of England. On Sunday 12th.December, 1998 he paid a return visit to the Fort Cumberland Guard at Southsea Castle where he inspected a turnout of the Guard together with their fifes and drums. Also present was a certain Major, Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1890 !

Commander C.A. Melhuish USN is introduced to the Victorian guests of the Fort Cumberland Guard Click image to enlarge

Commander C.A. Melhuish USN takes the salute at a march past of the Fort Cumberland Guard and Corps of Drums Click image to enlarge

During the season, every Monday night is drill night when members practise drills, repair and replace items of equipment and generally have a relaxing couple of hours together in the friendly atmosphere of their own barrack room at Southsea Castle

At the Castle the Guard also have their own museum full of interesting artefacts and mementoes and several reconstructed dioramas. Well worth a visit!!

If you live in the general Portsmouth area, are over 18 (necessary for a firearms licence) and have an interest in military history, why not come along and join us! We can promise you a very interesting and rewarding hobby, and we are a very friendly bunch!

If you have any musical talents, the Corps of Drums may be the place for you, and we can take lads younger than the age of 18 required in the Infantry section.

For more details contact our Hon.Secretary. Mr.David K.Quinton, 49,Lichfield Road, Portsmouth, Hants. PO3 6DD Tel. 02392. 754003