WW1 re-enactment society barred from taking antique rifles to Somme march in France because of anti-terror laws

A FIRST World War re-enactment society has fallen foul of new anti-terror laws after they were banned from taking antique rifles to France for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

Members of the Great War Society, which represents the famous Accrington Pals, wanted to carry their deactivated Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifles on tomorrow's march across the battlefield in Tommy uniforms.

But Home Office officials said the 1907 weapons do not meet tough new laws set down by the EU following the recent terror attacks in Paris.

As a result the group have been told to fork out £1,200 to buy replica ''dummy'' guns in France for the centenary in which they will re-enact the Pals' doomed advance across 'No Man's land' towards the German trenches.

Any members of the society caught with the old Lee Enfield rifles face prosecution for firearms offences.

Previously under Section 36 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 anyone caught with ''realistic imitation firearms'' would be able to use the defence of having them for the purposes ''of theatrical performances or historical re-enactments.''

Society member Scott Knowles, 53, whose grandfather Pte Billy Knowles survived the battle said: "These are deactivated rifles. They can't harm anyone. The only thing we could do is club someone to death with it. It's all complete nonsense.

"Due to bureaucrats in the Home Office, we've had to purchase replicas in France to carry out re-enactment commemorations on July 1 when our members have perfectly legal weapons.

"The Home Office have been stonewalling us. They've put the onus on us to do the work.

"We've had support from the French ambassador, MEPs and our local MPs.

"Even the Queen and the Royals are aware of what's going on but I'm told they can't get involved as it's political.

"All we are doing is trying to be as authentic as possible but we're being forced into this by red tape.

"It's pure stupidity. It just makes you think what other laws are they cocking up?"

Under British law, bolt action rifles can be used in battle re-enactments as long as the firing pin channels have been sealed with welding on the bolt face.

But under the new EU Firearms Directive, which came into force in April as part of a package of measures to make it more difficult to acquire guns in Europe, rifles must have their magazines fixed or blocked.

The society argues the measures would devalue the historical nature rifles and prevent them from demonstrating how they work.

Mr Knowles, a company sales director who co-ordinates the Great War Society's York and Lancaster regiment, which includes the famous Pals regiment, added: "Whatever happens, we're not going to be swamped by red tape from Whitehall.

"We're going to France to make sure the lads who fought and died will never be forgotten."

Local Labour MP Graham Jones said: "The Pals re-enactment group contacted me having been told they can't take replica guns to France for the 1st of July celebrations.

"I wrote to the French Ambassador on their behalf and he said that was untrue. They could and he was helpful in facilitating the licences required.

"Then the re-enactment group were told that they could take the rifles but not bayonets by the UK Home Office.

"The EU have recently passed a directive which allows for bayonets to be used on such occasions but the UK Home Office are refusing to abide by the EU directive which has disappointed the group to say the least.

"I would question whether the Home Office are acting without a legal basis. The EU are trying to help the Accrington Pals reenactment group cut through red tape."

The 60-strong group will set up camp in the village of Mailly-Maillet, northern France, along with members of the Warwicks, another live history group.

On Friday, they will don their military uniforms and march to No Man's Land where prayers will be said in memory of the 58,000 soldiers who perished on the first day of the 1916 battle.

The re-enactment group will form a guard of honour for civic dignitaries, including the Mayor of Hyndburn, and 'reverse arms' as a mark of respect.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The UK has some of the toughest gun laws in the world and we are determined to keep it that way. We also take coordinated action with our international partners to tackle the trade and supply of illegal firearms.

"Re-enactment groups may travel with their deactivated firearms to France provided they meet the necessary standards. We have been working with the Proof Houses to ensure that certification to the new standards is prioritised for re-enactors wishing to travel with their firearms."

On the first day on the Somme, July 1 1916, 700 men from the Accrington Pals - officially the 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington), East Lancashire Regiment - had been ordered to attack the village of Serre and form a defensive flank for the rest of the British advance.

But 235 were killed and 350 wounded in just half an hour. One of the battalion's signallers, observing from the rear, reported at the time: "We were able to see our comrades move forward in an attempt to cross No Man's Land, only to be mown down like meadow grass. I felt sick at the sight of the carnage and remember weeping."

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