Our Creation:

    Whilst at The War and Peace Show (Beltring) in 2004 we noticed that the living history groups mainly dealt with the British Army in World War Two or from the 1st Gulf War onwards. As I had some British Infantry equipment for the early eighties I donned my uniform and walked around the living history field where I was complimented upon my appearance. Several ex-service men stopped and talked to me and gave me advice and information on how to make my representation more visually correct, especially an member of 23 Parachute Field Ambulance Group history group who was a serving member informed me that he was well pleased as what I had done as it was his History... Light bulb time.

Having had such a positive response and feeling rather encouraged we started looking into how to create a group. After several head banging sessions amongst a few friends Forces 80 was created ready in time for Beltring 2005. 

Our display attracted a modest amount of attention again from ex-serving members of the armed forces and we gained valuable information and at the end came to the conclusion every unit had its own ways of doing things and as they say "That was That".

       *As of February 2007 we have decided to change our mandate from representing the Army to representing the Armed Forces as a whole as we have had requests to do various other units and seeing as we portray Naval Party 8901 and 40 Commando which are both Naval units we thought that the change would be appropriate.*

    *Forces 80 is now on face book, come and say hello - Click here*

Events:

A special thanks goes to Howard at Event Plan for repeatedly asking us back to his events.

Event Plan - Living History Events

Archived Events:

• Events 2005

• Events 2006

• Events 2007

• FALKLANDS 25 VETERANS DAY

• MANCHESTER MILITARY TATTOO

Units:

©Forces80

    Our original idea was not to badge up and to represent the army as a whole as we could not decide to which regiment to represent. After a discussion with a retired RTR Lieutenant-Colonel who suggested that we portrayed "The Cheshire's" due to their up-coming amalgamation in 2007 where they will in effect cease to exist. We decided to give this some thought. After a while we agreed amongst our selves to badge as the Cheshire's unless we were doing a Falklands display where we would badge up as needed but in the main; Welsh Guards and 40 Commando were decided upon. It is of note though that we now badge up as required and sometimes we are seen at events representing various regiments.

*If interested in joining you are not confined unless requested to by a event organizer to represent these particular regiments*

 
Cheshire Regiment

Our Special thanks go to the Cheshire Regimental Museum for their help in providing much needed advice and information.

We also represent from time to time the following regiments and units:

*September 2007: The Cheshire Regiment ceases to exist along with the Staffordshire Regiment and Notts' & Derby Regiment which now come under the Mercian Brigade.*

Order of Precedence 1983

Combined Operations:

    The idea behind Forces 80 is to provide a rallying point for other smaller groups and individuals that wish to portray the British Army in the 1980's and to be able to provide mutual support until they feel they are ready to go it alone.

We are proud to present the first of our adopted groups; "80 Provost" who concentrate on the role of the Royal Military Police. 

80 Provost

We are also proud to present our first affiliated overseas group based in the USA.

10 PARA (V)

Uniforms:

    Dress codes rule the British Army with a degree of  leeway in combinations. We use dress codes 8,13 and 14 where applicable and will in time use dress code 2. See link below for information on Dress Codes. We strive to use the correct issue of clothing but are sometimes unable to find it in the sizes needed so a later issue is purchased and later replaced once the correct item is found. We are always mindful of our appearance and when the wrong article of clothing is used we make no allusions that it is correct.

Uniforms

Equipment:

    The Infantry equipment of the Infantry in the 1980's was made up of various designs dating from as far back as the 1940's Helmets designed for the invasion of Europe., rifles first developed in 1947 and 1960's uniforms. To say that it was varied is an understatement. The 1980's also saw the introduction of new equipment and weapons which still served side by side with the old well into the mid 1990's. 

The equipment section started as a guide to the various pieces that you would see on our display but this is now being expanded to encompass virtually all of the kit issued. It is by no means complete and will be constantly added to but there are going to be bits of equipment we are going to overlook or miss out.

©Forces80

Equipment

    We are always on the look out for pieces of equipment to supplement and improve our display so if you have any items you think that we might like please contact us, please bear in mind that we are not as rich as most people and groups and rely on donations and peoples charitable nature. So if you have any thing you like to donate or sell to us please feel free to contact us.

www.ew-trading.co.uk
Suppliers of Equipment and Uniforms to Forces 80.

Please mention Forces 80 when contacting this supplier.

Deployments:

TA 100
1908 - 2008
100 years of the Territorial Army

Each section above will eventually have there own section when I finally get round to constructing the pages.

 
"OH SHUT UP JONES 46 - THINK WHAT A VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IT ALL IS !"

Known Operations:

• 1978        Lebanon - UN Operation (supporting Fijian troops)

• 1979        Iran - Evacuation of civilians

• 1979-84  Operation Agila Rhodesia/Zimbabwe 

• 1980        New Hebrides - Civil unrest

• 1982        Falklands War

• 1982        Sinai Peace Keeping operations

• 1983        Beirut

• 1983        Aden - Evacuation of British Nationals (civil war)

• 1987-88   Gulf - Mine sweeping / clearance

Training Exercises:

" IF HE WALKS PAST ONCE MORE WITH HIS 'JOLLY GOOD - ISN'T THIS GREAT - WELL DONE CHAPS!' I SWEAR I'LL KILL HIM... "

    So that we can get things right occasionally we have what amounts to Dry Runs in full kit, this page shows us out and about playing (So to speak) soldiers, where we  practice drills etc.

We also have the occasional Airsoft event where we can all act as a squad and let of steam.

Photo Gallery

SHAKEDOWN EVENT 2007

SHAKEDOWN EVENT 2008

Reference Photos:

    On this page you will find various reference photos from various sources. All are copyright and where possible I have credited the relevant source:

Reference Page

Reference Book Page

Links:

    On the web site you will find various links to organizations, events and regiments where they are relevant to that part of the site but I have decided to collate them on a separate page for you to browse.

Links Page

Joining: WE NEED YOU !

    If you are interested in joining don't hesitate to contact us, we are always looking for regional members who are willing to represent the British forces of the eighties no matter what branch or unit.

We are not asking for full commitment, if you can only attend one show a year that's fine, all we ask is that you supply your own basic uniform and equipment and supplies. In some cases we may be able to supply what you need.

Joining Information Pack
PDF Format

Event Organizers: PLEASE GET IN TOUCH

    We are always looking for new events and invitations to various shows by organizers are welcome. Our display can be tailored to suit the organizers needs. So please feel free to contact us.

Feel free to email me: Click Here: CONTACT ME Please put Forces 80 in the Subject bar.

Thank you for checking us out and please look out for us at the shows

Jonathan Smith
Forces 80 OiC