NEWS
On this page, you can find everything EthanReuben HistoryBoys has been up to. Unfortunately we cannot update EVERY time (please see our Facebook), but we do try to keep you up to date with the most important news!
Introducing our seamstress
Over the past few years, Charlotte has been becoming increasingly more talented with sewing. She continues to become more skilled, to the extent that she has been able to produce some wonderful crafts and clothing for use in our living history. We are all proud of what she had produced and cannot wait to see what else in in store in the years to come. Charlotte has said, "I am a very creative person and I believe if you put your mind to it you can achieve anything. Therefore I took up sewing starting with WW2 insignia. I was given my first sewing machine, I bought patterns and I wanted to make clothing for living history both for myself and now for others; making Ethan an 18th century waistcoat for his birthday. I would love to keep progressing and make things for others"
Ethan has also taken sewing on board and accompanies Charlotte in their historical crafts. Please visit her Facebook page for more information on how to make orders or answer an queries you may have, thank you.
This April will mark 8 years since our group EthanReuben Historyboys were formed. Its been an incredible journey and we just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped us out along the way; you know who you are! And again, it's been amazing to meet so many fantastic people who have shaped the way we are today. Next year will mark a huge anniversary for us and we should have (covid permitting) lots in store for a hopefully pandemic free year. Should next year not go as we would like, and we don't see friends for another 12 months, we sincerely wish you all the best! Alongside this we wanted to thank you all for your continued love and support. Leading up to Christmas we have one or two things in mind, but until then, thank you, stay safe and God bless.
8 year reflection; 2021
KEEPING BUSY IN LOCKDOWN
BIKES
Both Ben and Reuben have found lockdown to be the perfect opportunity to fix up and make their vintage bicycles road worthy. Now a vintage bicycle ride and countryside pub lunch is being arranged and neither can wait.
PHOTOSHOOTS
Plenty of opportunities have risen for a few small photoshoots in the garden, trialing new kit and displays for various social media.
WALK
Ethan, Reuben and Richard partook in a few mile walk around the Norfolk countryside the day before the 76th anniversary of D-day in full infantry kit. This gave us some experience and preparation for a longer walk with the rest of the HistoryBoys and allied star.
VE DAY
All over the country, members of public were encouraged to celebrate VE day in their front gardens. Along with them, the HistoryBoys and Girls celebrated the 75th anniversary with garden partys in uniform. Tj and Jason even went for a ride in the Dodge through the city whilst other members enjoyed tea, beer and Victoria sponge commemorating victory in Europe.
GARDEN PARTY
At the beginning of lockdown, Ethan and Charlotte spent many virtual afternoon tea party's together until the end of lockdown when some members spent a bigger garden party together in Warrington - socially distanced of course!
CREATIVITY
Charlotte has been keeping busy with sewing various historical dresses and plenty of insignia onto her WAAF impression along with making spare insignia to sell on Facebook.
Reuben has made a section of the Norwich bomb map produced during the blitz and his version can be seen on Facebook. Plans are put in p;ace to reproduce the whole map.
VIDEOS
As seen on facebook and You-tube, Ethan, Reuben and Tj have made many videos (30 mins long) on each impression they do to entertain and teach many. The EDP interviewed us on this and can be found below. Alongside these, Ethan and Reuben (and with a special appearance from Charlotte) went live on a few occasions to play 1930s, 40s and 50s records whilst also answering questions on facebook - something else we thoroughly enjoyed. You can view these videos on the 'educational videos' page under 'services'.
Put together by Ethan and along with a big group effort, we were able to compose this video, in the style of a modern trend.
We did this to make those involved feel connected again and hopefully entertain friends and followers at home during the 2020 lockdown - dedicated to all the key workers!
After finding out what we have been up to in lockdown, the EDP got in touch and asked to write a piece about us. The above link takes you to the article and here is a short extract from the interview, "Ethan Harvey, 20, and Reuben Harvey, 17, from Thorpe St Andrew, otherwise known as The History Boys, have been filling their time by creating and sharing historical videos bringing the First and Second World War to life.
"The brothers, who would normally be found attending 1940s events and running history workshops in schools and Scout groups across Norfolk, began making the videos when the coronavirus pandemic saw many of their scheduled appearances cancelled or postponed."
COVID-19
DUE TO THE OUTBREAK OF CORONA VIRUS, WE CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE UPCOMING WEEKS AND MONTHS.THESE TIMES ARE SURELY UNCERTAIN AS NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER BEEN EXPERIENCED IN ANYONE'S LIFETIME, BUT ETHANREUBEN HISTORYBOYS HAS NOT LET THIS DETER US, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO SHARE EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS AS OFTEN AS WE CAN. THIS MEANS WE WILL SHARE A VIDEO ON OUR FACEBOOK (ETHAN REUBEN) AND YOU-TUBE (THE HISTORYBOYS). THESE VIDEOS WILL EACH BE A DIFFERENT IMPRESSION WE DO AND WILL TRY TO MAKE THEM AS INTERESTING AND EDUCATIONAL AS POSSIBLE. WE ARE DOING THIS, AS EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED, IN THE HOPE OF ENTERTAINING FELLOW RE-ENACTORS AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE WITH A WIDER AUDIENCE. IF YOU HAVE REQUESTS OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT US THROUGH A SOCIAL MEDIA SITE OR THE CONTACT US PAGE.
REMEMBER TO STAY AT HOME, PROTECT THE NHS AND SAVE LIVES. IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, WE WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL IN NO TIME. WE HOPE YOU ARE ALL WELL, AND WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL SOON! AND ON A FINAL NOTE, WE THANK ALL THE KEY WORKERS...YOU ARE DOING A MARVELOUS JOB!
WW1 statue at Southend-on-sea commissioned by the council and sculptured by Dave Taylor 2019
What an honour that Ethan was put forward by fellow historian Mark Talbot to become the model for Dave Taylors commisioned sculpture of a first world war soldier during the first day of the somme!
Dave Taylor has produced a wonderful statue and on the 7th November 2019 it was unveiled to Southend residents along with the lord mayor and mayoress, a number of veterens and many more people who deem the statue of such significance to them.
Please view the ITV report for further information.
Results are in from Poppy Selling this year!
Ethan, Reuben and Hayden took £137.35 outside Carrow Road. It was dark and
wet so we expected it to be quiet this year.....
But....
Ethan, Reuben and Hayden took £852.15 collecting in the city on Saturday 9th November! Plus a little extra since then!
We are still awaiting news from how much Ben raised in Beccles...so watch this space
Poppy selling for the Royal British Legion
Arnhem September 2019
From Thursday 19th - Monday 23rd September 2019, Ethan, Reuben and Richard traveled to Arnhem, The Netherlands to celebrate the 75th anniversary since the battle in 1944 which lasted 9 days from the 17th to the 25th September.
We visited several towns involved in the battle of Arnhem and along the route, discovered so many things....
Starting in Oosterbeek and exploring the several HQs and dropzones we found it unreal to imagine that 75 years ago, this beautiful, peaceful town was a battle ground. The next day in Arnhem we wandered the bridge and watched the parade of vetrens and marching band. Following that we watched thousands of men jump from the sky, filling it with parachutes bringing the experience to a more emotional, real feel. Visiting another dropzone we talked to many people. We listened to the memories of the elderly and then educated the youngsters who knew little of what their great grandparents witnessed 75 years ago on that week. Visiting the church, Oude Kerk, we felt so emotional towards the men that risked their lives to help others escape. Then participating in the white mile towards the Rhine, we could see the struggle, although we didn't experience quite the lengths the men actually did. On our penultimate day we visited the 1940 - 1945 museum, and that really was worth the money we paid.... Such a stunning collection spanning 50 years! And we could not leave without visiting Urquharts House and the Arnhem / Oosterbeek war cemetery, the most emotional experience we went through. Tears were shed reading the names and ages and seeing the number of graves (marked and unmarked) within the cemetery.
Committee 2019:
At the end of the 2018 season we have elected the new group committee for the future. We wish them the best of luck! Here are the highlights:
President: Ethan Harvey
Treasurer: Reuben Harvey
Assistant treasurer: TJ Pitcher
Social media officer: Richard Harvey
In July 2018, we were delighted to be invited along to Thorpe St Andrew Parish Church and give a talk on the first world war. We spoke to the public along with event organisers about life in WW1 and attended a memorial unveiling on the village green. It was a pleasure to take part in such an emotional day.
MULTI - PERIOD
Ethan and Reuben have expanded their collection and interests further! Now we offer multiple period talks and displays ranging from the Roman era up to the 1980s. Hopefully we can encourage the rest of the group to do the same
Please view our services page for more information on what we offer.
