
Recruitment Office.
Ok, so you are interested in joining VERA. Congratulations! You have already taken the first step!
To be able to join VERA we ask that you are able to commit attending some of the associations events annually, You do not need to be "super fit" but must be able to take part in some basic drill and military style activities. WW2 knowledge is not essential as we can help you learn with time however a basic knowledge would be advantageous.
Don’t forget, putting on a uniform is only a small part of Living History. You need to know how a person thought and acted in WWII, what they carried in their pockets, how much things cost, how much they were paid, what was rationed, what they listened to on the wireless, the songs and artistes of the time, what they ate, the words and phrases used. You need to stop using modern words and expressions and whistle a merry wartime tune! If you look and act the part, then you are almost ready to educate the younger generation, so that the sacrifices made by our fathers and grandfathers were not in vain.
Cost - Joining V.E.R.A for 1 year will cost £15. This covers the price of public liability insurance with our Association insurer AFRA. All members must be affiliated to AFRA. In addition to the annual fee you will need to purchase you chosen uniform either Home Guard or Border Regiment. You will not need to buy all of your uniform at once as the association can lend some items of kit to help you at each event. Please do not buy any kit without checking with the association first! You may find the group has the same item for sale themselves and they may even be cheaper also you may be purchasing the incorrect piece of kit or be paying far too much! The association will give you a list of kit you will need to buy and where to get it.
If you still think you have what it takes, are keen to learn more about World War Two other than what you can learn from a history book and want to experience something of what life may have been like as a serving soldier during the war then please contact us via this sites "Contacts" page.
Frequently asked questions!
1) Q - Are there any costs with joining VERA? A - Yes! We do not hide the fact there will be a financial investment to purchase all of the kit required (Basic kit of BD Jacket, BD trousers, Beret, Shirt, P37 webbing, Denison Smock, Airborne Helmet and Ammo boots costs around £400 -£500 depending upon supplier) however as mentioned above VERA may be able to lend you enough kit for your first event so that you are able to decide if VERA are right for you or not before you spend any money. In addition you do NOT need to purchase all of the kit at once! Finally there is also a small membership fee which covers insurance which is paid annually.(AFRA)
2) Q- Where do i get uniform and kit from? A - Please ask for our kit list which has recommended suppliers and costs listed.
3) Q - How often are events? Do i have to attend them all? A - We have around 12 events a year however this number can fluctuate. Most of are events are in the North East with a occasional events further away or even abroad. Regarding attendance, you do not need to attend every event as we understand that members have family and work commitments, cost constraints etc. We do ask that you let us know as soon as possible if you can or can not attend an event so we can use this information to aid us with planning the event and organising transportation etc. Many events are over two or more days, here you may attend for one day if you wish rather than all days but again please inform us of your intentions as soon as you can!
4) Q - Can we stay overnight at events? Do we need a tent / camping equipment? A - Yes. At occasional events we can have the luxury of having a choice of sleeping (in a group) inside however the majority of events we can sleep under canvas in one of the association / privately owned Bell or ridge tents. Most events also allow you use a modern tent however if you do this you may be asked to pitch up out of the way of the "period" area usually in what is known as the "plastic camp". Some events if close enough to home allow you to go home overnight and return the next day. It goes without saying you will also need to bring your sleeping equipment such as a camp bed and sleeping bag. Food - At some events we supply "period" Breakfast and "lunch" occasionally provided to us by the 79th Field Kitchen. For evening meals we sometimes "eat out" at a local pub / restaurant. It is always suggested that you bring some food with you and preferably some method of cooking ie a camp stove.
5) Q - My relative served during WW2. Can i wear his medals / badges or shoulder titles? A - No. When we are in the public eye we all wear the insignia of the Border Regt. Wound flashes, Tradesman's qualifications, Sharp shooter etc etc will not be worn unless issued by the group (This is also the same for rank). Medals or ribbons etc are not to be worn either unless agreed by the association. However should you wish you can change you badges or add them to your uniform after public hours for photo opportunities etc.
6) Q - Rank. Can i wear my relatives rank on my BD jacket? A - No. This is the same as above. You can not wear rank unless issued by the group. This ensures that the association is not "top heavy" with rank and not enough "Privates".
7) Q - Social. Is there a social side to the group? A - Yes. At some events we will organise an evening meal at a local restaurant / public house. If not then we will often sit around the camp fire and make merry! We do have society meetings and other occasional social events.
8) Q - Can i drink alcohol at events? A - Yes, but in moderation. There is NO drinking of alcohol whilst in uniform during public hours and overnight drinking should be within moderation as we will be using live firing weapons the following morning, drinking can invalidate any insurance and we also have to consider the reputation of the association.
9) Q - Modernisms? A - When we are in uniform we ask that all members turn off there mobile phones (unless absolutely necessary), refrain from eating "modern packaged" food and drink such as drinking from a Coke can, not to smoke unless a pipe or period cigarette, hide any tattoos and remove any visible jewellery. Should you wish to use your phone, smoke or eat modern food then please move out of public view and with food / drink, you can decant soft drink into a period container and remove food wrappers or wrap in brown paper etc. Please remember food and drink is provided at several events.
10) Q - Can i have long Hair? A - No. Unfortunately long hair was not permitted during ww2. Hair should be cut "short back and sides" No. 2 shaver or less. As the old saying goes "What's under you cap is yours, what's not, belongs to the Sargent!" Please do not read this as us being strict but we have pride in portraying the Border Regt (or Home Guard) and like to respect those who served. We try to portray ourselves as accurately as possible and we also believe that these are the sort of things that separates "good" groups from "average" groups.
11) Q - What do i need to do to attend an event? Where do i get information from? A - All events are listed on this web site and also on the VERA Facebook page. Please inform VERA your intentions for each event as early as possible. "Warning Orders" for each event will be issued via email to all members prior to each event which contains all required information such as event location, camping and food arrangements, kit requirements and itinerary for each day. Further questions may be asked to other members via email or the members only Facebook page.
12) Q - Weapons, Deactivated weapons (inc Grenades / mines / ammunition) and pyrotechnics? A - ALL LIVE FIRING WEAPONS REQUIRE A LICENCE FROM YOUR LOCAL POLICE FORCE!!! ALL LIVE FIRING WEAPONS REQUIRE THE APPROPRIATE STORAGE WITHIN YOUR HOME!!! Please check with VERA for advice before purchasing a weapon! If you are in any doubt please check with your local police constabulary and firearms dealer. Please note Deactivated weapons have different licensing conditions. Please remember different forces have different legislation depending upon where you reside. NO PYROS ARE TO BE USED WITHOUT CONSENT FROM THE GROUP!!!
Ok, so you are interested in joining VERA. Congratulations! You have already taken the first step!
To be able to join VERA we ask that you are able to commit attending some of the associations events annually, You do not need to be "super fit" but must be able to take part in some basic drill and military style activities. WW2 knowledge is not essential as we can help you learn with time however a basic knowledge would be advantageous.
Don’t forget, putting on a uniform is only a small part of Living History. You need to know how a person thought and acted in WWII, what they carried in their pockets, how much things cost, how much they were paid, what was rationed, what they listened to on the wireless, the songs and artistes of the time, what they ate, the words and phrases used. You need to stop using modern words and expressions and whistle a merry wartime tune! If you look and act the part, then you are almost ready to educate the younger generation, so that the sacrifices made by our fathers and grandfathers were not in vain.
Cost - Joining V.E.R.A for 1 year will cost £15. This covers the price of public liability insurance with our Association insurer AFRA. All members must be affiliated to AFRA. In addition to the annual fee you will need to purchase you chosen uniform either Home Guard or Border Regiment. You will not need to buy all of your uniform at once as the association can lend some items of kit to help you at each event. Please do not buy any kit without checking with the association first! You may find the group has the same item for sale themselves and they may even be cheaper also you may be purchasing the incorrect piece of kit or be paying far too much! The association will give you a list of kit you will need to buy and where to get it.
If you still think you have what it takes, are keen to learn more about World War Two other than what you can learn from a history book and want to experience something of what life may have been like as a serving soldier during the war then please contact us via this sites "Contacts" page.
Frequently asked questions!
1) Q - Are there any costs with joining VERA? A - Yes! We do not hide the fact there will be a financial investment to purchase all of the kit required (Basic kit of BD Jacket, BD trousers, Beret, Shirt, P37 webbing, Denison Smock, Airborne Helmet and Ammo boots costs around £400 -£500 depending upon supplier) however as mentioned above VERA may be able to lend you enough kit for your first event so that you are able to decide if VERA are right for you or not before you spend any money. In addition you do NOT need to purchase all of the kit at once! Finally there is also a small membership fee which covers insurance which is paid annually.(AFRA)
2) Q- Where do i get uniform and kit from? A - Please ask for our kit list which has recommended suppliers and costs listed.
3) Q - How often are events? Do i have to attend them all? A - We have around 12 events a year however this number can fluctuate. Most of are events are in the North East with a occasional events further away or even abroad. Regarding attendance, you do not need to attend every event as we understand that members have family and work commitments, cost constraints etc. We do ask that you let us know as soon as possible if you can or can not attend an event so we can use this information to aid us with planning the event and organising transportation etc. Many events are over two or more days, here you may attend for one day if you wish rather than all days but again please inform us of your intentions as soon as you can!
4) Q - Can we stay overnight at events? Do we need a tent / camping equipment? A - Yes. At occasional events we can have the luxury of having a choice of sleeping (in a group) inside however the majority of events we can sleep under canvas in one of the association / privately owned Bell or ridge tents. Most events also allow you use a modern tent however if you do this you may be asked to pitch up out of the way of the "period" area usually in what is known as the "plastic camp". Some events if close enough to home allow you to go home overnight and return the next day. It goes without saying you will also need to bring your sleeping equipment such as a camp bed and sleeping bag. Food - At some events we supply "period" Breakfast and "lunch" occasionally provided to us by the 79th Field Kitchen. For evening meals we sometimes "eat out" at a local pub / restaurant. It is always suggested that you bring some food with you and preferably some method of cooking ie a camp stove.
5) Q - My relative served during WW2. Can i wear his medals / badges or shoulder titles? A - No. When we are in the public eye we all wear the insignia of the Border Regt. Wound flashes, Tradesman's qualifications, Sharp shooter etc etc will not be worn unless issued by the group (This is also the same for rank). Medals or ribbons etc are not to be worn either unless agreed by the association. However should you wish you can change you badges or add them to your uniform after public hours for photo opportunities etc.
6) Q - Rank. Can i wear my relatives rank on my BD jacket? A - No. This is the same as above. You can not wear rank unless issued by the group. This ensures that the association is not "top heavy" with rank and not enough "Privates".
7) Q - Social. Is there a social side to the group? A - Yes. At some events we will organise an evening meal at a local restaurant / public house. If not then we will often sit around the camp fire and make merry! We do have society meetings and other occasional social events.
8) Q - Can i drink alcohol at events? A - Yes, but in moderation. There is NO drinking of alcohol whilst in uniform during public hours and overnight drinking should be within moderation as we will be using live firing weapons the following morning, drinking can invalidate any insurance and we also have to consider the reputation of the association.
9) Q - Modernisms? A - When we are in uniform we ask that all members turn off there mobile phones (unless absolutely necessary), refrain from eating "modern packaged" food and drink such as drinking from a Coke can, not to smoke unless a pipe or period cigarette, hide any tattoos and remove any visible jewellery. Should you wish to use your phone, smoke or eat modern food then please move out of public view and with food / drink, you can decant soft drink into a period container and remove food wrappers or wrap in brown paper etc. Please remember food and drink is provided at several events.
10) Q - Can i have long Hair? A - No. Unfortunately long hair was not permitted during ww2. Hair should be cut "short back and sides" No. 2 shaver or less. As the old saying goes "What's under you cap is yours, what's not, belongs to the Sargent!" Please do not read this as us being strict but we have pride in portraying the Border Regt (or Home Guard) and like to respect those who served. We try to portray ourselves as accurately as possible and we also believe that these are the sort of things that separates "good" groups from "average" groups.
11) Q - What do i need to do to attend an event? Where do i get information from? A - All events are listed on this web site and also on the VERA Facebook page. Please inform VERA your intentions for each event as early as possible. "Warning Orders" for each event will be issued via email to all members prior to each event which contains all required information such as event location, camping and food arrangements, kit requirements and itinerary for each day. Further questions may be asked to other members via email or the members only Facebook page.
12) Q - Weapons, Deactivated weapons (inc Grenades / mines / ammunition) and pyrotechnics? A - ALL LIVE FIRING WEAPONS REQUIRE A LICENCE FROM YOUR LOCAL POLICE FORCE!!! ALL LIVE FIRING WEAPONS REQUIRE THE APPROPRIATE STORAGE WITHIN YOUR HOME!!! Please check with VERA for advice before purchasing a weapon! If you are in any doubt please check with your local police constabulary and firearms dealer. Please note Deactivated weapons have different licensing conditions. Please remember different forces have different legislation depending upon where you reside. NO PYROS ARE TO BE USED WITHOUT CONSENT FROM THE GROUP!!!