Into the Trenches — WWI Hand-to-Hand Combat Workshop

Three hours. Four armies. The close-quarters methods British, Canadian, French and American soldiers were actually taught for the trenches When the bayonet charge stopped, the real fight began In 1914–18, Allied instructors knew a hard truth. Canadian Major Percy Hobbs wrote that after a bayonet attack, nine times out of ten the men grapple, and the untrained man forgets everything. So the armies looked for anything that worked in a muddy ditch barely wider than your shoulders: boxing, wrestling, savate, jiu jitsu and the knife. This workshop takes you back to the original wartime manuals and puts their methods in your hands, safely, with expert instruction and plenty of context. What you’ll train • Boxing for the bayonet fighter — the Canadian approach of Captain William Jacomb, who argued boxing taught bayonet skill faster and with fewer casualties. • Savate in the trench — the low, fast French kicks and footwork that complemented bayonet and grenade. • Grappling and jujutsu — trips, throws, holds and escapes from the British Methods of Unarmed Attack and Defence and A.E. Marriott’s American manual of 1918. • Knife defence — deflect, control and finish, as taught to men facing trench raiders. Trainers only. • A trench-raid scenario — bring it all together in a taped-out trench lane. Who it’s for HEMA practitioners, martial artists, re-enactors, military history enthusiasts and anyone curious about how soldiers really fought up close. No experience needed. You’ll train at a controlled pace with a partner matched to your level. Why train with us The workshop is led by Jason Hulott, Chief Instructor at Canterbury Medieval Combat, published military historian and regular speaker at heritage sites, history groups and universities. You get the technique and the story behind it: who taught it, why, and what happened when it met reality. What’s included • 3 hours of instruction with qualified assistants • All pads, mats and trainer weapons provided • A handling table of period-style kit, including a Brodie helmet and trench knife replicas • A printed source sheet of the original manuals to take home What to bring Comfortable clothing you can move in, trainers or bare feet, water, and a gumshield if you own one. Boxing gloves and focus mitts too. Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in. Safety Every technique is taught at controlled speed with trainers and mats. Nothing is applied at full force. A safety brief opens the session and a first-aider is on site.