One of the largest historical re-enactment at the Historic Dockyard for five years will take place at this summer’s Navy Days-inspired Meet Your Navy.
A cast of hundreds of historical re-enactors will rub shoulders with the men and women of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and other members of Britain’s Armed Forces during the three-day event at Portsmouth Naval Base on July 25 – 27.
Meet Your Navy features three zones, past, present and future, and visitors will immediately be transported into Navy past as they enter the site via Victory Gate on The Hard.  The ticket includes entry to all the historic attractions including Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations.
Since Richard 1st granted the town called Portsmouth its first charter and ordered a dock to be built in 1194, the Dockyard has been associated with defence and latterly the Royal Navy.
The past zone sets the scene for the event, the biggest of its kind since the Trafalgar 200 celebrations and living history groups will recreate key moments in time when the Navy ruled the waves.
Henry VIII’s favourite warship Mary Rose was one of the King’s Fleet which heralded the start of the Royal Navy.  When the ship was excavated during the 1970s in the Solent, the original galley used to cook for the entire crew was retrieved.  A replica galley now stands near the entrance to the Historic Dockyard and this will be fired up and used to demonstrate just how they prepared food on the ship for officers and sailors alike by the Tudor Group.
Soldiers and marines from the 17th and 18th century will set up camps in the colonnades of the Georgian storehouses and there will be drill and firing displays throughout the event by Napoleonic riflemen.
HMS Victory will play host to a small group of 18th century re-enactors from the Senior Service and a Victory rigger will demonstrate how Nelson’s flagship was rigged in its day.
Ancient Wisdom will be alongside Victory performing a novel and imaginative interpretation of Nelson’s first triumph at the Battle of the Nile in 1799 and the Battle of Britain. 
There will be American confederates on board HMS Warrior 1860 as the Alabama Crew featuring officers, sailors and gunners man the 64 pounder guns and show life on board during the War of Independence.
The working dockyard will be brought alive by Victorian dock workers moving stores, promenading and even breaking into song and dance.
More recent history is represented by British and American troops en route to Normandy during the D-Day campaign and Forces 80 Living History Group depict the Falklands era.
On the water there will be the Steam Pinnace 199, which is the only remaining craft of its kind in working order, having served at the Battle of Jutland 90 years ago. Built in 1911, the Pinnace was restored to full working order with the financial support of the Friends of the Royal Naval Museum and HMS Victory.
 
Other historic craft include the Victory’s cutter and the Historical Maritime Society’s 23 foot launch featuring live firing gun.
 
Each day of the event will close with a faithful representation of the Beating the Retreat in the 1000-seater main arena. The ceremony dates back to the early days of chivalry when beating or sounding the retreat put a halt to the day’s fighting, a return to camp and the mounting of the guard for the night.
In addition to the extensive programme of historical re-enactments is the rare chance to board HMS Illustrious, seven other RN ships and a number of foreign naval vessels.  The world-renowned Red Arrows will take to the skies on the opening day, entertaining the crowds with a spectacular display.
Also confirmed are flying displays on all three days by the RN Historic Flight and modern-day RN helicopters. The Royal Marines will also get in on the act with a dazzling harbour display, fast-roping onto a vessel to rescue a damsel in distress.
The extravaganza afloat and ashore goes beyond what was once known as Navy Days. More than ever before it will give show-comers the exciting opportunity to truly meet and talk to the people who man the ships and look after them, who fill the ranks of the Royal Marines Commandos, who compete in the daring gun-run competitions and who will play the music throughout the three days.
Tickets are available online at www.meetyournavy.co.uk, through the ticket hotline 0871 230 5582, or tourist information centres at Portsmouth and Southsea and the Marriott Hotel, Portsmouth. A special advanced ticket price is available until 24th July.