The most famous engagement of the Victorian era. 11 Victoria Crosses won during a few hours of vicious hand to hand fighting, forever immortalised on film. But how much do most of us really know and understand about the battle? Was the film historically correct? In episode three of the Redcoat History Podcast, I take … Continue reading Podcast Episode 3: The Battle of Rorke’s Drift
Hurrah, you've made it to my website. Perhaps I may surmise that you have come via my new Redcoat History podcast? If so I wish you a hearty welcome. Here - take my canteen, slip off those old leather boots and warm your hands by the fire. https://youtu.be/ZY3J3Y_OU0w Actually, scrap that - a runner has … Continue reading Podcast Episode 2: The battle of Isandlwana
In today's battlefield tour video, my father and I take a walk around Spionkop (Spioenkop), scene of the some of the heaviest fighting of the Anglo-Boer war. It's a fascinating battlefield, hardly changed since that short, sharp battle of January 1900. The battle was part of the disastrous campaign to relieve Ladysmith and push the … Continue reading A walk along Spion Kop
The siege of Ladysmith during the Anglo-Boer war is the stuff of legends. The Boers had surrounded General Sir George White and his troops since the start of November 1899 but had been generally inactive and unwilling to launch a frontal assault on the town. That changed on the 6th January 1900 when the biggest … Continue reading Battlefield tour: The battle for the Platrand (Caesar’s camp and Wagon Hill)
The opening engagement of the Anglo-Boer war was fought in this small town in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. It was a small but important battle that showed the British army how dangerous it was to scorn their enemy. Join me for a walk up Talana hill as I get some exercise and move in … Continue reading A short walk up Talana Hill: First battle of the Anglo-Boer war
After the British were defeated at the battle of Isandlwana a few hundred survivors made a dash for the Buffalo River in an attempt to escape from the victorious Zulus. Take a walk with me as we explore that story and examine the terrain of the battlefield.
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.
This video looks at the battlefields of the Coastal column during the British invasion of Zululand. Nyezane, Eshowe and Gingindlovu are little known battles but fascinating and well worth a visit.
In the latest of my battlefield tour videos I take you for a walk around Rorke's Drift and try to explain a little of the history.
In this video Christian Parkinson gives a tour of the battlefield at Isandlwana, site of one of the British army's worst and most well known defeats.
