British WW1 Drill Instruction - Living History

Mike demonstrates some of the core principles of British military drill during World War One including coming to attention, order arms, slope arms, port arms, present arms and more. In association with Portals to the Past and The 10th Essex Great War Living History Society.
Portals to the Past - portalstothepast.co.uk/
The 10th Essex Great War Living History Society - www.10thessex.uk/
A Two Mikes production.
EDIT: As we are using British Military terminology, at 04:00 I should have said "Pile Swivel", not "Stack Swivel". "Stack Swivel" is an Americanism.

[@stephenjames4937]

I researched rifle drill for a novel I'm writing, set in the early 1920s, and this is exactly what I need. Thank you for posting it.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Hope it helps!

[@JohnSmith-dd1bl]

1:50 Or rather you just hear the Sergeant shout something incoherent that sounds like; AHHEEEEEESHUNNN!

[@WingChunMindForce]

Fantastic demo! You bring back a lot of memories from the 70s when I was a cadet in Australia learning 303 drill. I was actually a drill sergeant teaching this but I'm pretty rusty. I suppose what I learnt was Second World War drill which was a lot more snappy in the commands, but you're absolutely right. You don't slap your rifle down into the gravel. One thing I'd like to ask, I know you're talking, but I saw that your right hand when you were at the port the fingers were quite relaxed and open. Was that First World War drill? The only time we ever had our hands open and relaxed like that was at the 'at ease' position behind the back. Otherwise your fist was always closed and your thumb running down the crease of your trousers. Well done, bloody interesting and good for you keeping the old traditions and memories alive mate👍

[@frederickgates4349]

Much thank you I did enjoy this 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@paciic]

This is absurdly calming

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Cheers! ASMR Drill Sgt major coming next perhaps? :D

[@occasionalmarksman4865]

It's a rainy cold day in New England and I have nothing important to do today.....then I happen across this video and find myself compelled to pull my trust Lee-Enfield from the gun safe and learn/do the British Army manual of arms circa Great War. Sometimes the internet is an awesome tool.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Fantastic! Slope Arms matey!

[@gasmaskguys4965]

Very well done! Greetings from downunder, used to do this drill with SMLEs in the cadets!

[@gordonlai9248]

I thought this was the corporal in charge of Blackadder's firing squad at first...

[@TwoMikesProductions]

We aim to please! ;)

[@gordonlai9248]

@Mike Everest Just above my head would be a good spot... Anyway I love the videos. :)

[@lancebrown1110]

Mike, well done mate! I just joined a WWI group and this was very informative Thank you! Lance Grandson of John Brown, US Army 1917-1918 & Ernest Puffer US Navy 1917-1918

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Big thumbs up matey!

[@hardalarboard8876]

How was he born in 1917 and died in 1918?

[@tanfosbery1153]

Thanks for posting this excellent, easy to follow, instructional video

[@SuperSpartanjames]

Thank you very much, really informative and well explained. From a grateful member of the DCLI WW1 living history group.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

And thank you too! Share it with your mates! :)

[@kevingood4856]

Looking forward to more instructional videos! Thanks for that.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Thanks Kevin! We have one on Puttees and we will be doing them on 08 webbing next

[@markgriffin6478]

Excellent stuff!

[@Harris90]

Excellent video. Very clearly explained and great demonstrations.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Thank you kindly! There will be a new video soon!

[@CalicoJack1803]

Well Done!

[@gho3tsoldier1]

Excellent..

[@woodlandsteve]

Cheers pal

[@Safetystick]

Good stuff!

[@Uguccione1409]

Thanks a lot from 12th D.L.I - WWI Italian Reenacting Group. Very interesting and usefull video. It will help us a lot.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Thank you for watching! I hope it helps your drill sir!

[@Amazar01]

Most excellent. And yes, I did the Belfast Cradle and other bad things when I 1st started as well.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

As long as you have learned not to! :D

[@babyinuyasha]

What's a Belfast cradle?

[@Amazar01]

@@babyinuyasha You would hold the rifle across the chest, normally with the butt to the right, with the pistol grip and magazine between your folded arms.

[@youtubeaccount5738]

In the National Cadet Corps, Singapore. Like to do it with the PDS rifles, although my Sergeant Major doesn’t approve… By the way, favourite drill for me is probably present arms.

[@youtubeaccount5738]

PDS rifles are drill dummy rifles used for spinning around. They are modelled after the WW2 model of the SMLE.

[@youtubeaccount5738]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/paHJq5V9ZbCsrJI

[@buonafortuna8928]

Mike. Very well done. I can't imagine the amount time (research, rehearsing, retakes ...) to get that 10 minute video - unless you're just a natural at drill. Good job.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Every video we shoot is pretty much in one take! Thank you very much matey. I have the great advantage of doing different types of drill for kids in schools every day so it keeps my eye in!

[@ux3321]

Just found this comment at 3 am during the lockdown, just thought I’d say I hope very sincerely that you, your friends and family are all keeping safe and well in this time :D

[@markpepperberrisford9157]

Basic rifle drills , I did same for my own passing out parade .

[@henryradley7850]

Next time I meet you at newville I’ll thank you in person for teaching me drill

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Not a problem matey! See you in november!

[@LugerNut]

Many thanks! This will help greatly with my drill at the remembrance parade this year!

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Good luck! Where is your parade?

[@LugerNut]

It's at my local Cenotaph in Catshill, pretty much a one man band at this point, I've been asked by the village council to help out and bring some relatability to the service by being on parade during the service and during the lowering of the flag and the last post to do the Generals salute and not the funeral one as shown by the chap on the cenotaph.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Excellent!

[@LugerNut]

Here's hoping all goes to plan, the councils brain, or at least the chap organising it seems a touch disconnected as to what is possible and organising it with the parade master.

[@FalconKPD]

I see someone pinned his collar for that good old fashioned look. Looking smart, Mike.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

FalconKPD thank you kindly!

[@billathighwoods4289]

Take his name, he’s idle! Get a grip at the attention, hand clenched extended downward with fingers together thumb curled. Never have made Guard mounting at Wellington barracks!

[@user-ig1qy9gh4k]

it's really useful for our ww1 reenactment association in France in the Somme. I would like to know, after the "stand at ease" position, what order comes next? How to dismiss the ranks ? Many thanks

[@TwoMikesProductions]

We are going to do a video in the summer on dismissing and fixing bayonets for everyone :)

[@ellistonwebsite]

Nice job!

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Thanks!

[@ellistonwebsite]

We have WWI group here in Canada www.nfldww1.com and this video will be helpful to our newest members. Hope to see more videos.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

We will be doing some on advanced drill and bayonets. SHare it with your guys. :)

[@lolzman228]

Mike is your rifle a .22 conversion? Seemd like it to me from the view of the breech/magazine

[@TwoMikesProductions]

No it's a .303 that's been deactivated. The bar across the magazine feed is part of the current deactivation process. I can't remember if I was using my 1917 rifle or my 1920 one for it though! :)

[@brotherhoodofsteelsuffolk8528]

Properly spiffing Mike.

[@CodyandSteveDownUnder]

cheers cobber, resubscribed - or should I say, extrat subscribed - have new account, cheers mate from Down Under

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Thank you!

[@NathanaelTheAussie]

Hi Mikey mate! I had a question regarding the uniformity of drill across the commonwealth in WW1. Was the drill the same (as the British drill). across all commonwealth nations?

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Broadly speaking for regular infantry yes it was identical. Some stuff like light infantry doctrine has some noteable differences. But Aussie stuff is pretty much identical.

[@NathanaelTheAussie]

Mike Everest cheers mate! Am encouraging the growth of a WW1 group in an old Australian town and just wanted clarification 👍

[@TwoMikesProductions]

@@NathanaelTheAussie where are you based matey?

[@NathanaelTheAussie]

@@TwoMikesProductions I am based in Oxley, Brisbane. The group I am encouraging the growth of is Maleny. I do four other eras, one I personally run, but I also love the idea of getting people in touch with their heritage.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

@@NathanaelTheAussie Have you managed to get in contact with David Howell? The guy is a legend in the AANZAC re-enactment community and well worth having a chat with!

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

Dirty boots and one button missing or not buttoned.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Sighs. No flies in you eh.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Also, those boots arent dirty... We just didnt polish them in the great war. They are called rough out boots and they are oiled. Also, i'm standing in mud.

[@babyinuyasha]

In the Great War boots were greased to make them more water resistant

[@fishyc150]

Very good video... But can I mention one thing, more for my understanding... Did they really call time 123,123,123??? Every drill move we've done since I joined the army in the 80s has been 1,23,1,23,1 Move on the "1" then pause. The "two three" is the pause untill the next "1" As the last move has no following "1" the "23" pause is not required. I'll bow to your greater knowledge of WW1 drill though!!!

[@TwoMikesProductions]

No, i'm only calling time there to break it down to make it easier for the novice basically. :)

[@fishyc150]

@@TwoMikesProductions Fair enough ;-) where are you guys based?

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Sussex, Essex, Hampshire and south London broadly (With blokes also in Bedford, the midlands and as far afield as the Americas as well!)

[@fishyc150]

@@TwoMikesProductions I'm in Bedford... would be interested. I've an impression of a 1916/17 royal engineers sergeant (my regular army trade/ rank)

[@TwoMikesProductions]

We specifically portray the Essex regiment normally, but i'm sure you would be welcome to come along and see if we are the group for you to get involved with. Right this weekend the guys are at Dorset Steam Fair, but we have an event on the 15th of September in Hornchurch park in Essex coming up. We also have one at Brooklands on the 30th of September which I will be at. If you wanted to come to an event, either of those would be a great start. Come along and bring your kit to Brooklands if you are up for it!

[@imperialweimarball]

I find it weird that the British army uses L85s for drill instead of Lee Enfield‘s unlike the Germans who use Kar98Ks and the Americans who use either M1903s or M1 Garands also I sort of do re-enacting but as a WW1 German line infantry man.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Train with what you are going to use I guess!

[@imperialweimarball]

@@TwoMikesProductions ok by the way keep up the good work your videos are pretty good for anyone who is interested in ww1 British re-enacting

[@TwoMikesProductions]

@@imperialweimarball thank you!

[@imperialweimarball]

@@TwoMikesProductions you’re welcome

[@berner]

It's the gentleman's drill.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Absolutely good sir!

[@berner]

@@TwoMikesProductions From Canada, thank you for your reply. Although it is WWII, I think you'd get on well with our Limber Gunners. They preserve the image and maintain the guns and vehicles we used in WWII. I was actually a tourist at the Tower of London(?) and I saw a beautiful gun there on display, but can't for the life of me remember what it was called. I think it was an "80 Pounder?". Would you perhaps know of the gun I'm talking about and correct me if I'm wrong? My grandfather just passed away a couple of years ago. He made it to 100 and got a letter from the queen and all that and he landed on Gold Beach. I have a couple of stories of when he was a prisoner of the Germans as a fair trade, if you'd like :)

[@TwoMikesProductions]

berner I shall have a look for you for the guns in the tower good sir!

[@daeveddd7140]

Do shoulder arms exist for .303 drills?

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Regular infantry drill is Slope Arms. Shoulder arms when you throw the rifle right up is the arcane light infantry drill stuff.

[@youtubeaccount5738]

@@TwoMikesProductions why do the Malayan soldiers shoulder arms their .303 rifles? Saw it in my history textbook about the Malayan Emergency.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

@@youtubeaccount5738 Afraid I couldnt tell you much at all about that! Malayan Emergency is a vast gap in my knowledge!

[@youtubeaccount5738]

@@TwoMikesProductions ah, s’okay mate.

[@youtubeaccount5738]

@@TwoMikesProductions hey Mike, here’s some suggestion for new videos. Could you do drum major mace drill videos?

[@stokesjack]

Great video! Any idea if this also works for WW1 Australia?

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Yep, exactly the same. Just not for light infantry units like 'The Rifles'

[@Gi15leg]

Ты класссссный!!!!!!

[@marceloduran1281]

Habla mucho

[@tenrebla]

Los alemanes son mucho mejor que vosotros: en todos los ejercicios de instrucción , incluso hoy , la Wehrmacht ya no la nombro pues ningún ejército podía compararse con ella.

[@TwoMikesProductions]

'Because no one could compare with her' They lost. Twice.

[@tenrebla]

@@TwoMikesProductions Pero no contra la Pérfida Albión! (Vosotros solos no podéis )