The Royal Marines are one of those British institutions that defy easy description. They’re not the Army. They’re not quite the Navy. And yet, for more than three and a half centuries, they’ve shown up in almost every corner of the world where Britain has decided to plant a flag, rescue a friend, or pick … Continue reading The History and Evolution of the Royal Marines
The Redcoats Are Coming: The Story Behind Britain’s Most Iconic Uniform
The redcoats. Possibly the most distinctive soldiers in history. Yes, other nations had red-coated troops. And yes, British soldiers have worn other colours over the centuries. But that bold, brash, unmistakable scarlet has become the enduring image of the British Army—especially the Empire-building kind. Redcoats of the 2/24th Regiment of Foot at the Battle of … Continue reading The Redcoats Are Coming: The Story Behind Britain’s Most Iconic Uniform
“Six VCs Before Breakfast” – The Gallipoli Landing of the Lancashire Fusiliers
In 1915, a British battalion stormed the beaches of Gallipoli in one of the most daring — and disastrous — amphibious operations in modern military history. By the end of the day, just a few hundred men from the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers were still standing. And yet, from the chaos and bloodshed, six soldiers … Continue reading “Six VCs Before Breakfast” – The Gallipoli Landing of the Lancashire Fusiliers
A Very Fine Regiment: The 47th Foot in the American Revolution
As the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution begins to dominate headlines, clichés and old myths are already crawling back into the conversation. The Redcoats were robotic. Their officers were clueless aristocrats. They lost because they were hopeless. You’ve heard it all before. But what if we told you the truth is far more interesting? … Continue reading A Very Fine Regiment: The 47th Foot in the American Revolution
The Battle of Congella: 1842
The 23rd of May 1842 may not ring a bell for many, but it marks an important yet often overlooked moment in British and South African history: the Battle of Congella.
How the Corps of Guides Changed Warfare Forever
Raised in December 1846, the Guides would go on to build a reputation for bravery, innovation, and loyalty, fighting in key campaigns such as the 2nd Anglo-Sikh War, the Afghan Wars, and both World Wars.
Arnhem’s Umbrella Major: The Insane Bravery of Digby Tatham Warter
Operation Market Garden. While history often recalls the chaos and tragedy of the battle, one man’s bizarre bravery stands out: Major Allison Digby Tatham Warter, a British officer so eccentric that he carried an umbrella into battle.
The First Anglo-Boer War
I have recently completed a short series covering the 1st Anglo-Boer War of 1880-81. It is a campaign often forgotten and overlooked by military historians. Perhaps part of the reason is that the British lost every battle - Bronkhorstspruit, Laing's Nek and Majuba amongst them.
Podcast: The Siege of Burgos (1812) – Wellington’s worst scrape?
After the famous Victory at Salamanca in July 1812, Wellington occupied Madrid. At this point, he seemed to lose his magic touch. In this episode, I am joined by historians Charles Esdaile and Mark Thompson to learn the full story behind the campaign known as "Wellington's worst scrape".
Keeping the memories alive: Visiting little known sites of the Anglo-Zulu War
In this video and blog post you can see and learn about a number of little-known Anglo-Zulu War battlefields and memorials...including Luneburg, Ntombe Drift and Conference Hill.
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