Beards...currently (March 2024) there aren't many jobs in the British army that allow beards...But Pioneer Sergeant is one of them. But what is their story? Why are they allowed beards and what is the history of this important role? If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ Sign up for the Patreon account to watch the videos ad free and weeks before they appear on YouTube...

Henry Hook VC has been called the most famous private soldier in British military history.  Does the name ring a bell? I’m sure it does - he was the bad lad in the film Zulu. We’ve spoken about him before on the show but today we are going deep, learning more about his life and about the actions that lead to his Victoria Cross at the Defence of Rorke’s Drift. We have a brilliant interview today with well-known historian Neil Thornton. Neil is the author of numerous military history books. His...

Today I am joined by Matthew Taylor to discuss The Corps of Colonial Marines…Escaped black American slaves who joined the British cause during the War of 1812. The unit was a force multiplier - men who knew the battlefields like the back of their hand and were very highly motivated. Not only were they an important part of the British war effort but their descendants still make up a unique ethnic group in the Caribbean. Stay tuned till the end to find out about the survivors of the unit who...

The Sepoys on the Western Front…often praised - sometimes derided. Were they lions in the trenches or did they fail the big test against the Germans? Were they terrified by artillery, did a huge number deliberately wound themselves, and could they operate without command and control from their British officers? These are all thorny questions and ones which we will be examining closely today. To discuss the topic I am joined by friend of the show David Snape. He has written a book called A...

The British Army - those famous redcoats, cavalrymen and green clad riflemen - became surprisingly adept at fighting small wars of empire during the Victorian Era. We won war after war and battled enemies from across the globe. But it wasn’t all one way traffic. Yes, I know it’s painful but there were quite a few defeats for the British army. Today we are looking at five times the British army were defeated during the Victorian era. You might be able to guess some of them in advance but stay...

Samurai vs Redcoat. In this episode we examine the multiple times that bayonet and Katana battled during the 1860s. It includes the bombardment of Kagoshima and also the Shimonoseki campaign. This is the story behind James Clavell’s Gaijin: a tale of samurai, imperialism, politics, war and gunboat diplomacy in the Wild East. This podcast also sees the first American earn the Victoria Cross and the ancient rule of the Japanese Shoguns come to an end. Thanks to Joshua Provan for researching and...

1895-95. In the latest Redcoat History Battlefield tour episode, we walk in the footsteps of Leander Starr Jameson and his troops as they try and enter Johannesburg and overthrow the Afrikaner government. It's a fascinating tale - with a number of interesting and hard to find sites that are well worth a visit. Please join the Patreon page for early access to content and no ads. https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

Imagine being a senior officer who has never seen service or completed any training. In fact your only qualification is a fat wallet. To our modern sensibilities and belief in meritocracy it sounds mental. But was it? Today we are looking at the British army’s purchase system - what was it? How did it work and did it lead to an army commanded by rich nit-wits? Thanks to Dr Chris Brice for researching and co-writing today's episode. His books can be found here: https://amzn.to/3HmTi2d If you...

An important and brutal war that you’ve probably never heard of… A tribe of well-armed mounted warriors as tough as any in Africa. A handful of surrounded colonial officials - massively outnumbered and outgunned. Now if that hasn’t caught your attention then I don’t know what will. Today we are talking about two sieges and the battles to relieve them during the Basotho Gun War of 1880-81. Thanks to Cam Simpson. His books can be found via this link - https://amzn.to/47P5yDo If you are...

This episode is a long one - a full and in-depth look at the First Boer War aka the Transvaal Rebellion. It combines a number of my previous episodes into one comprehensive examination of the fighting. Here are my key sources: Majuba 1881: Ian Castle A Rain of Lead: Ian Bennet - https://amzn.to/3HbbtaZ With the Boers in the Transvaal and Orange Free State: C L Norris Newman - https://amzn.to/3Hcaszv The Transvaal Rebellion: John Laband - https://amzn.to/3NWnox0 The Transvaal War, 1880-81:...

The American revolutionary war.  Britain versus the 13 colonies.  The fledgling United States was backed by the French…but did you know that the Spanish also weighed in against the Brits?  In fact, beginning in 1779, they fought a successful campaign against the redcoats in the area of Louisiana, Missipissi and Florida.  Today I’m joined by the one and only Joshua Provan who has just written a book about the campaign and the Spanish Siege of Pensacola.  The book can be purchased here:...

How’s this for a career? - A gentleman ranker who fought in the Zulu war, later chased Boer Commandos across South Africa, commanded the South African Brigade on the Somme and as if that wasn’t enough, the old war horse went on to take charge of an elite division on the western front. So who was he? Henry Timson “Tim” Lukin - arguably South Africa's greatest ever General. Special thanks to Cam Simpson for researching and co-writing this episode. His books can be found here:...

The Napoleonic wars - the first Great War. An era that saw the British army come of age. But how much do you know about the officers at the forefront of the war? Were they all aristocratic buffoons like Henry Simmerson? Were most commissions and promotions paid for? What sort of training did they receive? And were battalion commanders actually younger and more dynamic than their counterparts in other armies? Historian Steve Brown joins me on the show today and we are going to busting plenty...

A forgotten battle deep in the Rhodesian Bush…   A handful of Mounted Police battling over a thousand Shona rebels in a running battle.    Its an epic fight that deserves to be remembered.    Today we are talking about the Mazoe Patrol in what is now known as Zimbabwe.    A special thanks to Cam Simpson who researched and wrote this episode. His books on military history are excellent and can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/3QEWtX9    If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign...

The last stand of the Shangani Patrol on the 4 December 1893. In modern day Zimbabwe… It is the stuff of legend. A handful of militiamen surrounded and fighting to the death against an overwheleming force of Matabele warriors.  The man in command was Major Allan Wilson, a 37-year-old Scotsman.  He was a true Victorian maverick – a man of many talents. Over the years historians have made a lot of mistakes about who he was, where he came from and his background before coming to Rhodesia.  But...

The infantry colours of regiments of the British Army are incredibly important - perhaps even the reason why the British army has always been one of the best in the world. But what is their significance, and why, for centuries now, have men gone to extraordinary lengths to defend them, performing amazing feats of courage and bravery? In todays episode I am going to answer all of those questions…share some incredible stories and, at the end, explain why colours still matter to British army...

During the Napoleonic era being promoted from the ranks was more common than most people think. . .But John Shipp was still an exceptional man and managed it twice! This is his story.    Buy Redcoat History Merch: https://redcoathistory.myspreadshop.co.uk    If you are also interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/   If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support...

The Relief of Lucknow was a key turning point in the Indian Mutiny of 1857-59. In this episode, you will walk with me across the battlefield and learn how the most Victoria Crosses in a single day were awarded. Thanks to the guest Josh Provan. You can find here his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinhistoryland5501 If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject:...

Did you know that in 1868 Abyssinia (now known as Ethiopia) was invaded by the British in a campaign as fearsome and as challenging as any the British army have faced? It’s a fascinating and little-known Victorian era war - But why did it happen? In this video I ask collector and historian Ian Shapiro to explain more. You can find Ian on Instagram...https://www.instagram.com/ianjshapiro/ Buy Redcoat History Merch: https://redcoathistory.myspreadshop.co.uk/ If you are also interested in the...

This is the re-edit of a live broadcast with Historian Mark Thompson. We discussed British cavalry of the Peninsular War. How were they trained? What were their strengths and their weaknesses? In which battles did they perform well? Mark has written many books on the era. This is his excellent book on the lines of Torres Vedras - https://amzn.to/3thM6k7 and this one on Wellington's favourite engineer - https://amzn.to/3rAUVVO If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my...

The Victoria Cross - the highest and most prestigious decoration available to British service members.  We all know what it looks like  - It’s a small bronze cross with a distinctive crimson ribbon. But what else do you know about it?  Well, today I am joined by author and historian Kevin Brazier…he’s going to be busting some of the myths and answering all of my questions about the VC. His books on the subject can be purchased via these links: The Complete Victoria Cross:...

The siege of Lucknow saw the bloodiest fighting of the Indian Mutiny. In this episode, I walk the residency grounds, explore how the site looks now and tell the story of the six month long siege. If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://www.redcoathistory.com If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory 

Today the one and only Ian Knight joins us to discuss his new book, "Warriors in Scarlet - The Life and Times of the Last Redcoats".  Ian has written many brilliant books on the Zulu War and his new work looks at the British army of the early to mid-Victorian era.  In this interview, Ian explains how the army developed over this period and talks us through some of the most interesting campaigns that it fought.  The book can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/3RxreiX  I also ask you to support...

It's September 1857 - the Indian Mutiny is going strong. The British are outnumbered and outgunned. Not a good position to be in for storming a major city. But they are determined to hold India at all costs. Can the redcoats and their allies achieve the impossible against a determined and worthy foe? Walk the streets of old Delhi with me to find out more about this important Indian Mutiny battle of September 1857. I am also joined by Historian Amarpal Singh on this episode. He has a book on...

Shaka, the founder of the Zulu nation, is South Africa's most famous warrior-king. He was a formidable man. But what is his story and who were the Kings who came after him? In this brief introduction to the subject, I am joined by historian Professor John Laband. You can find his books on the subject via the links below. The assassination of King Shaka - https://amzn.to/3KMq9Qj The Eight Zulu Kings - https://amzn.to/43SOx9e This interview was filmed at the Clash of Empires Exhibition in...