The Commonwealth war graves section of Harare (Pioneer) cemetery is a small oasis of well-maintained calm inside a huge, semi-derelict civilian graveyard close to the slum of Mbare. I found it more by accident than design when in Zimbabwe for the recent elections. According to the CWGC website, the cemetery contains 259 identified casualties, 224 … Continue reading Photos: Pioneer Cemetery, Harare
In the footsteps of the Raj: The siege of Lucknow
In 2005 I visited Lucknow, the capital of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It's a fascinating city with a rich history, especially for those of us with a passion for British military history. During the Indian Mutiny (aka the first war of Independence) of 1857/58, The battle for the city, particularly the siege of … Continue reading In the footsteps of the Raj: The siege of Lucknow
Five minute history: the battle of Passchendaele
The third battle of Ypres or the battle of Passchendaele as it is commonly known has become a defining moment of the first world war – it is remembered for its horror, the mud and the senseless slaughter of men. But What happened and was it actually a terrible failure? Third Ypres was fought in … Continue reading Five minute history: the battle of Passchendaele
Video: Why did Britain invade Zululand?
I am fascinated by the Anglo-Zulu war but have always been confused about the reasons for it and why Britain invaded. In this short "5 minute history" I try to give an explanation as to why the war happened.