Brigade Unit History

Brigade of Guards in America, Grenadier Company Unit History

NWTA RECREATED UNIT

The Scots Guards element of the Grenadier Company, Brigade of Guards on the American Service, was formed in Chicago, IL over the winter of 1979-1980 as a member unit of the Northwest Territory Alliance. The founders of the unit were all former members of the recreated 8th, or King's, Regiment of Foot: Harrison and Joyce Bartling, Philip and Sharon Orawiec, and Edward and Patricia Pawlowski. The first non NWTA member recruited into the unit was Loren Cain of Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Unit in 1986
The first activity in which the Guards participated as a new unit was the NWTA's 1980 School of the Soldier in Homewood, IL. Members attended in 20th century clothes, since their uniform buttons had not yet been delivered. Phil Orawiec was first to appear in full kit, at the Vincennes, IN event that same year. They wore the London Guard Order Uniform of black gaiters with a fully taped regimental coat based upon the 1764 Royal Warrants. This look was maintained (with the addition of white Parade Order gaiters) until 1988 when new research demonstrated that the Brigade in America wore a radically altered uniform.

Bill Burke, 1990

Bill Burke 1990

However, new documentation became available to two unit members and upon their investigation the unit reconsidered the impression. Multiple sources gave us a picture of how the Guards looked upon their arrival to North America. The changes entailed removing most of the white lace from the coat, adopting canvas trousers, shortening the gaiters to spatter dashes and painting them black, plus the mounting of the bayonet on the cartridge pouch. With the unveiling of this new uniform in May of 1988, the recreated unit took on the look of veteran, professional soldiers. After further research revealed that the grenadiers did not wear bear-skin caps in America, the company adopted a hat cap beginning in 1993. During the 1995 season, the company expanded from its portrayal of only Third Guardsmen and began to include Coldstream and First Guards Grenadiers.

Zachery 1990

The Guards have always been active both in attending and sponsoring events. Members attended the bicentennial celebrations at Savanna, Guilford, and Yorktown. The unit sponsored the following events: Joliet, IL in 1981; Yorkville, IL in 1982 and 1983; Zion, IL in 1986; Union Grove, WI in 1988; Rolling Meadows, IL in 1990; and Heg Park, WI in 1993. Elements of it initiated the Chiwaukee Fair event in Kenosha, WI in 1995. In addition, the regiment has striven to maintain contact with other Guards re-enactors, especially in March of 1982 when it sponsored a special all-Guards event at Fort Wayne, IN, and in 1988 when the Coldstream Guards Grenadiers from Ohio were its guests at Vincennes, IN. The Company attended the Occupation of Williamsburg (VA) event in 1995 at the invitation of the Brigade's 5th Company [Scots Guards] from the Carolinas. In 1995, it also joined the Coldstream Guards Grenadiers at the NWTA/BAR joint event in Findlay, OH. At the 1996 Findlay event, members of all three units were in attendance and participated in a moving memorial tribute to William Burke. 1997 saw the unit joining the 5th Company again in Willaimsburg, along with the Boston First Guards, the Detroit First Guards, and Jay Callahan's Brigade Company from the Carolinas. All five groups participated in the Yorktown Sortie reenactment in commemoration of the Guards sergeant who was so admired by the French that they buried him where he fell.

Unit remembers fallen Guardsman at Yorktown

The recreated Guards uphold certain traditions with pride: strict interpretation of authenticity, strong participation in the event day, and concern for the welfare of all unit members. To achieve the smoothest possible administration of the unit, a set of "Standing Orders," or by-laws, was adopted in 1985 and revised in 1986, 1988, and 1993 and 1999. For many years, the administrative command of the unit rotated on an annual basis to the next full voting member on the seniority list. Beginning with the 1995 term of office, the position was opened to election each year. Members who have served as unit commander are as follows: Phil Orawiec - 1980, Harrison Bartling - 1981, Ed Pawlowski - 1982, Loren Cain - 1983, Sue Seitz - 1984, Jim Gott - 1985, Sharon Crawford - 1986, Stephen Reightley - 1987, Jeff Saeger - 1988, Katherine Burke - 1989, Mary Burke - 1990, Di Saeger - 1991, Mike Havey - 1992, Sue Seitz - 1993, Bill Burke-1994, Bob Steele-1995, Di Saeger-1996, Linnea Bass-1997, Ernie Klapmeier-1998, John Abig - 1999, Linnea Bass-2000.

Brigade of Guards advance at Guilford Courthouse

In addition, the Company has always tried to be supportive of the NWTA and its goals. Numerous members and members-to-be of the unit served on the NWTA National Staff. The Guards have furnished 4 Commanders (William Burke, Don Davis, Harrison Bartling, Susan Seitz), 3 Adjutants (William Burke, Greg Novak, Bonnie Davis), 1 Inspector General and Senior Clerk (William Burke and Linnea Bass), 4 Inspectors (Susan Seitz, Sharon Crawford, Diane Saeger, Mary Burke), 3 Courier Editors (Greg Novak, the founder; William Burke; Susan Seitz), numerous Courier staff (including Bonnie Davis, Katherine Burke, Mary Burke, Bob and Sue Blanck, Jeff and Di Saeger, Stephen Reightley), 1 Paymaster (Linnea Bass), 1 Librarian (Linnea Bass), 2 Patternmasters (William Burke, Sue Blanck), 1 Quartermaster (Susan Seitz), 1 Music Master (William Burke).

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