Before the founding of EthanReuben Historyboys, it was family history, war films and battle re-enactments that drove us into our passion for history. Hearing our great grandmothers forbidden wartime romance and our grandfathers youth in war torn England we wanted to know more. By watching films and TV series such as Dads Army and Zulu, we gained a love for history and felt a connection with the past. Our first uniforms were handmade by our Nanna from children’s clothes and scrap material. Visiting the airmen’s plaque on Mousehold heath each remembrance, we learned what service and respect was to those that lost their lives in military conflicts. From 2010, we attended WW2 events in Norfolk including Muckleborough, North Norfolk railway, Gressenhall and Old Buckingham, not to forget seeing our Great Uncles wartime collections. Through these we saw what life was like in both world wars and again, felt a passion for History and desire to know more. Attending these for the next few years, we met many people and we some became familiar faces talking to re-enactors we aspired to be like. Their kindness and interactive teaching allowed us to engage better and expand our knowledge. Through car boot bargains and charity shop finds, we began to create a collection of memorabilia and relics. However, a 12-year-old and a 9-year-old were unlikely to become historians although it later came to be reality.

It was 2013 that we were donated a completed WW1 uniform and after an extensive collection had been gathered we could attend events in uniform and show off what we liked doing best. We hence became known as the history boys as not many other youngsters would be seen doing what we were. So, on 22nd April 2013 we established EthanReuben Historyboys. Other names were considered such as Bobbysboys, History buffs and simply Ethan&Reuben but after debate, we decided on our favourite. Sitting by the fire on a cold April afternoon, we created our Facebook and YouTube accounts to showcase our living history. We made many friends throughout our journey and were never discouraged from the hobby. It was in 2014 however, that opportunities were opened up and our group became known. On attending events, we were lucky enough to meet actors involved in Dads army including Bill Pertwee and Jimmy Perry. As our collection gradually grew, our Nanny bought our first deactivated gun – something we treasure dearly.

In the build up to the centenary of the start of WW1, after visiting Muckleborough, we wanted to construct a trench. Although only 3ft deep, it was a huge success that came from our mums disused flower bed. It was later accompanied by tank traps, a wooden pillbox, no man’s land, fake barbed wire and a guard’s hut built by our Dad. Our lookout tower, built by our Grandad was also put in place, alongside a 1940s style shop that was inside a summerhouse, bought by our Nanna and great grandmother. Upon hearing that ITV Anglia wanted to film school reports on WW1 stories in commemoration, Ethan applied through school and after telling them a trench would be involved they soon got back in touch. We then filmed the report following the story of our great great grandfather and travelled to Duxford to receive the award and further recognition. Local newspapers soon got in touch and as our Dad said this soon ‘snowballed from there’. The trench that was built by 14 and 11 year olds was seen to be incredibly popular and Mustard TV, Channel 5 news as well as American newspapers and channels wrote about us and published our story. Followed up by ITV, we were known as Ethan and Reuben Harvey, the Historyboys from Norwich. When googling our names, we were shocked to see how far our names could be found; Australia and America amongst other places. 2014 also saw us organise our first display on Mousehold heath.

From there on, we expanded the group and created a website to showcase our achievements, and living history journey. A gallery of our kit and news of what we had been up to, allowed us to fully establish a successful group website. Alongside this, we invested in business cards and YouTube, making home movies and informational videos. We were happy to receive 30 subscribes back in 2015, although being on over 450 today. It was in this year that we welcomed 2 members to the group, suggesting a group expansion was successful as we attended many events together as EthanReuben Historyboys. In 2016, we commissioned a logo inspired by a 1940s plane pin up. This year was also a pivotal moment for Reuben and the group. Since beginning the hobby, Reuben had long hair – something uncommon to army life. So in the summer, he cut it off and restyled his hair in a more acceptable way for 1940s living history. It was also in 2016 that we expanded the trench to a new part of the garden, making it longer and deeper and more trench like. Complete with a small above ground dug out, corrugated iron and a bomb crater, we were much happier with the 5ft trench. Another company then interviewed the 4 members and filmed a short film including a smoke bomb. Their amazing photographs were then published to national newspapers and we had our 15 minutes of fame once again. A radio interview with British Forces Broadcasting Service allowed our names to go global again. Since then, we have engaged in 3 radio interviews with them – 2 of which in the studio.

From 2015, we began selling poppies for the Royal British Legion and have done since then, raising money for this important cause. In 2019, we raised just under £1000, which was our largest total to date. We raised the money in Norwich city centre and were delighted to be invited to Carrow Road to walk on the football pitch wearing full WW1 uniforms and webbing next to the cadets and armed forces. Other remembrance events include firing a 16lb artillery gun for Sir Michael Savory at Muckleborough, in 2017, and for Reuben, selling poppies in School, also in full WW1 uniform. It was around this time that we began to display alongside other re-enactment groups and have kept in unison with these groups ever since. We were honoured to be a part of these and by joining these groups, we could attend national events over the country and partake in battle re-enactments at bigger events. The group would attend on average around 10 events a year back in 2015 but now, we were attending between 25 and 30. In 2018, as we became older, we extended our group further and did a larger variety of talks and displays. Since 2018, we have attended many of the following many times. School talks at both primary and secondary schools (including open evenings) alongside scout hut talks taught us the importance of education and passing our knowledge onto the next generation. Care home talks and hospital visits taught us to respect the older generations as we learned from there wartime experiences. Furthermore, we attended parish churches to give talks around remembrance and educate many on the history of the WW1 and WW2. From 2018, we found ourselves displaying at family fates and fayres, and even Ethan displayed alongside an original WW1 tank at the Royal Norfolk show, for the end of the First World War centenary. New displays and multi-period living history such as Vikings at Jorvik caused a further expansion of the group, alongside 2 more members and Reuben’s passion for 1940s bikes, making vintage bike rides a fun activity.

However, it was 2019 that could be considered as one of the best years for EthanReuben Historyboys, as we were involved in so much. Being involved in a 4D trench experience short film for educational purposes was an amazing experience. In addition, Ethan’s D-day march in Portsmouth, following real routes of 1944 and Ethan, Reuben and Richards trip to Holland to commemorate the battle of Arnhem, brought the history to life, as both were incredibly emotional experiences. Alongside this, we were lucky enough to be WW1 movie extras for the day in a movie soon to be released, which was also an unbelievable experience. However, one of the most astounding moments in 2019 and the group history, was the erection of a first world war statue in Southend-on-Sea. This statue was modelled for by Ethan and to see it on the coast where it will stand for many years is truly breath-taking. We were also incredibly lucky to have received a warming letter from Dame Vera Lynn, praising us for remembering the past, along with her signature on wartime photographs after writing to her to thank her for the morale she shared with troops during the war. It was simply astonishing. It can also be noted that EthanReuben Historyboys soon made it to 10 members from just 2 including a Dad who said he never would join in. One member, TJ, now owns an American Dodge with his parents, after being with us for 4 years as our group American. They take pride in the Dodge and along with an ever-expanding U.S display, it’s a proud addition to the group as a whole.

Finally, 2020 proved a challenging year to all, as events were cancelled in the light of coronavirus. However, we put these barriers aside and made many videos in lockdown, talking about each display we do, which were then uploaded to our improved website, suiting educational needs. Seeing Captain Sir Tom Moore raise so much for the NHS were certainly inspirational and we will always remember his efforts during both the war and 2020 pandemic. Both V.E and V.J day was celebrated with COVID safe garden party’s and small 1940s displays across the country – something we each individually did in the group, attracting the EDP to write another piece on our efforts. In addition, 2020 allowed us to expand the trench further and create a new display in the garden; a bombed out village scene for use in videos and authentic photographs. We played vintage records and did a Q&A with Ethan, Reuben and Charlotte alongside a continuous campaign, so to speak, to raise money for the RBL again. We managed to raise and astonishing £173, which we were not expecting in the circumstances of coronavirus. We could not raise money the same way in this year, so were pleased with what we had made.

In reflection, we have achieved so much in 8 years and could not be prouder of how far we have come and this is all down to watching war films and carrying plastic guns when we were 3 years old. People often ask, where do we find the things we have, and it’s often the same answer with auctions, eBay, car boots and Facebook. It is places like these that have led to our museum, trench and collection of militaria. Our passion for history has also led to travels further afield; to places such as the Mennen gates in France, real trenches in Belgium, not forgetting Berlin. Places closer to home with historical interest, include London, Welsh castles and Scotland for Jacobite events. Alongside this, weeks in Denmark and Waterloo, Poland and Holland have each attracted us due to the history they have to offer. Our passion has also meant that we have taken History to the next level as we have loved learning more at university and sixth form. Our journey has been truly incredible and we would hence love to thank all of those involved from the start. We hope to continue living history for as long as we can, as it is key that it is not forgotten, and lost to the past.