Matthew's Military Moments

04/09/2026

I've been out on the ground in Arnhem again the last few days leading a Battlefield Tour. In no particular order, here's a snapshot of some of the sites we have taken in!

More to follow!

31/08/2026

A New Page started by yours truly, lots of content to come on both here and Matthew's Military Moments so make sure to give it a follow!

Events, Equipment and Stories all coming soon!

Formed on the 23rd June 1898, the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) served as the British Army's main specialist corps which provided medical care to service personnel all the way up until 2024.

In the Second World War, the Corps provided medical support to the British Army across every theatre of operations.

RAMC personnel worked as essential parts of the Chain of Evacuation. From Regimental Aid Posts close to the front line and Field Ambulances, through Casualty Clearing Stations and General Hospitals, they treated the wounded and sick, returning as many soldiers as possible to their units.

Their role extended far beyond treating battle casualties. The Corps was responsible for preventing disease, maintaining sanitation, treating illness and supporting the overall health and fighting efficiency of the Army.

The war also brought significant advances in military medicine, including the increasing use of blood transfusion, penicillin, improved surgery and more effective casualty evacuation.

RAMC personnel served alongside combat troops in some of the most dangerous conditions of the war. Although a non-combatant corps, medical personnel could find themselves operating close to the fighting and under enemy fire while attempting to save the lives of the wounded.

25/08/2026

Gunner, 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery

1st Airborne Division, Arnhem

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❗️Note - This is a Historical Recreation intended for educational purposes only❗️
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1st Airlanding Light Regiment were the second of two regiments formed for use by the British Airborne in the Second World War. Attached to 1st Airborne Division, the Regiment saw service in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and the Netherlands.

The above portrayal is how the Gunner would have appeared at Arnhem in September of 1944, having landed on LZ 'Z' across the 17th/18th near Wolfheze. Of the 372 men who went to Arnhem, 136 were evacuated, 200 were reported as missing and 38 were killed

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Although he wears standard 1937 Pattern Web Equipment like the rest of the Airborne Division, one key difference between the set up here is the lack of Anti-Gas Equipment. Many had either ditched their Respirator in the UK in favour of carrying more rations or ammunition, or left them in the Jeeps which towed their M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzers.

21/08/2026

Rather pleased with my latest venture so far, the No.38 Wireless Set and Signals Bag.

A High Frequency (HF) portable radio, it was carried at Platoon level within Infantry Companies with a range of 3/4 of a mile with the Battle Antenna fitted (seen in the photos) but if fitted with the 12ft rod, it could carry up to 2miles (terrain dependant).

There was also an Armoured Vehicle variant for use alongside the WS No.19 to allow for communication between Infantry Commanders and Tank Commanders.

A few more bits still to get but generated alot of interest at the White Horse Military Show nonetheless!

With thanks to of the for his guidance so far!

19/08/2026

Private (Medical Orderly), No.35 Casualty Clearing Station (RAMC), June 1944

❗️❗️NOTE - This is a Historical Recreation intended for educational purposes only.❗️❗️

Stationed at Reviers, France, just behind the D-Day landing areas, where it formed an important part of the Allied medical evacuation chain during the Normandy campaign. Unlike the Regimental Aid Posts and Field Ambulances that supported individual units and formations closer to the front, a CCS was a corps-level medical asset, providing treatment and evacuation facilities for casualties from across the formations operating within the Corps area.

During the June 1944 advance, casualties from formations, like the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, were evacuated through the medical chain, passing from Regimental Aid Posts to Field Ambulances and then onwards to No. 35 CCS. At Reviers, wounded personnel could receive more substantial treatment before either returning to duty or being evacuated further to a Base Hospital.

The role of a Casualty Clearing Station was therefore to bridge the gap between the forward medical services and the more permanent hospital system. Taking on casualties passed through the Regimental Aid Posts and Field Ambulances, the CCS provided facilities for receiving, assessing, treating and stabilising large numbers of casualties. It was not intended to provide long-term care; rather, its purpose was to return men to duty where possible or prepare them for onward evacuation.

CCSs were primarily staffed by personnel of the Royal Army Medical Corps, supported by attached Royal Engineers and Army Service Corps personnel. Their size and organisation reflected their corps-level role, allowing them to handle casualties from multiple units rather than serving a single regiment or brigade.

To facilitate the movement of casualties, CCSs were generally established near railway lines or other major transport routes. They could occupy requisitioned civilian buildings, military huts, tents and marquees, or a combination of these.

17/08/2026

Back from a great weekend at the White Horse Military Show in Wiltshire, where I laid on a display based around a Regimental Aid Post of the Second World War, whilst portraying a member of the RAMC.

A small display but nonetheless well recieved and I look forward to developing this display further and getting it out again!

With thanks to 1st Dorsets LHA for having me along with them!

12/08/2026

Private, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Scots, 66th infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

Assaulting the Gothic Line, Italy

August 1944

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❗️NOTE - This is a Historical Recreation designed for education only❗️
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After the decimation of the original regular 2nd Battalion, The Royal Scots which had all been killed or captured by Japanese forces following the fall of Hong Kong in December 1941, a new 2nd Battalion was reformed in May 1942, subsequently serving in Gibraltar before joining the Italian Campaign.

In July 1944, 2 Royal Scots joined the newly formed 66th Infantry Brigade, alongside 1st Hertfordshire Regiment and 11th Lancashire Fusiliers and was iinitially attached to 1st Armoured Division before joining the 1st Infantry Division in August 1944.

From late August, the battalion took part in the hard-fought assaults against the Gothic Line in Northern Italy, continuing the battalion's wartime service after the loss and reformation of the original unit.

12/08/2026

This weekend, I'll be displaying at the White Horse Military Show as a Soldier of 48th Field Dressing Station, RAMC, one of the five Medical Units attached to the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division in 1944.

If you are attending make sure to come and say hello!

09/08/2026

Gun Position Officer, M Battery, 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (RHA)

Salerno, Italy, 1943

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❗️NOTE - This is a Historical Recreation designed for education only❗️
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As a Gun Position Officer, this officer manages the command post, calculates target data, and commands the firing line to deliver effective firepower.

He wears standard British Khaki Drill with private purchase brown Officers boots, Pistol Order 37 Pattern Web Equipment with a .38 Webley Revolver. In his role as GPO, he carries a Map Case, Mk.1 Marching Compass and Voice cone for relaying orders on the gun position.

On his head he wears the Officers Service Dress Peaked Cap with bronzed Royal Artillery Cap Badge.

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3rd and 5th Regiments Royal Horse Artillery provided the main Artillery support for the 7th Armoured Division, serving through the North Africa Campaign. When the invasion of Sicily came, they were on rest and repair ready for landing in Italy in September of 1943.

06/08/2026

Private, C Coy, 2nd Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment, 13 Brigade, 5th Division, 8th Army

Landing at Fontane Bianche, Sicily, OPERATION HUSKY, 1943

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❗️NOTE - This is a Historical Recreation designed for education only❗️
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This soldier is wearing standard British Khaki Drill (KD) Uniform with Black issue Ammunition Boots, Web Anklet Gaiters and a set of 1937 Pattern Webbing configured to Full Marching Order for the landings and is armed with an .303 SMLE Mk.3* and Bayonet.

He is also seen with an Assault Troops Lifebelt, which consists of a long rubber tube and mouthpiece which allows for the inflating of the belt, turning the end of the mouthpiece allows the valve to be closed keeping the air in the belt.

Around his Large Pack he carries a blanket roll, likely carrying his Battledress and spare clothing which has not been packed into the Large Pack.