The Redcoat History Podcast

Today I am joined by John Laband, author of a new book about Lord Chelmsford. Chelmsford was the British commander during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879...But was he any good? I recorded this at the Clash of Empires exhibition currently taking place at the Royal Philatelic Society in London. You can sign up for tickets over at https://www.clashofempires.org If you are interested in the Zulu War, then...

In today's episode I speak with the fantastic history loving indie artist, comic book writer and adventurer Colin Mathieson. Colin is expanding on and republishing his excellent comic book/graphic novel - Zulu: Water Cart Rescue and is releasing it at the Clash of Empires Exhibition.  In this interview we discuss his research about the Battle of Rorke's Drift, his fascination with the Zulu War and...

The Natal Mounted Police suffered terrible casualties at the Battle of Isandlwana fighting in the donga alongside Colonel Durnford.  In today's episode of the Redcoat History Podcast Cam Simpson joins us once more to talk about the history of the unit and its fascinating men. He calls them the Blue-blood troopers, as a number were sons of generals and senior figures from across the empire.  Cam's...

In July 2023, the Royal Philatelic Society London will host a public exhibition displaying more than 500 postal, historical, and cultural objects exploring the context, history, and ongoing legacy of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.  I will be there interviewing the speakers, as will today's guest - Alex Haimann - co-curator of the exhibition.  It promises to be a fascinating event and a great chance t...

Part Two of my series on the Indian Mutiny of 1857. In today's episode, the mutiny moves to Delhi and the regiments of the Bengal army turn on their European officers. In a bloody fight at the Magazine, the oldest ever recipient of the Victoria Cross wins his award. It is an amazing story. My sources for this video include: The Indian Mutiny by Saul David - https://amzn.to/3U68FBy The Indian Mutin...

Operation Banner was the British army's longest ever deployment. It ran from 1969 to 2007. But now the army's service in Northern Ireland has been forgotten by many.  Author Jonathan Trigg served as an infantry officer during "the troubles" and joins me on the show today to explain more about the conflict, how the army performed, how the IRA was organised and how the Special Forces were utilised....

He was called the cleverest man in the British army and was hailed as the man who "pulled the army out of a hole in South African". He won both the Iron Cross and the Legion of Honour and served in various capacities across the globe.  But General Sir Henry Brackenbury is now largely forgotten. Author Chris Brice joins me today to a shine a light on this fascinating man and his excellent career in...

Today’s episode is a brief introduction to why the Indian Mutiny (aka 1st War of independence) of 1857 happened. Why did thousands of previously loyal Indian Sepoys turn against their officers? Here are my key sources for this video: If you purchase via the amazon links I receive a small percentage of the cost. From Sepoy to Subedhar - Sita Ram - free on this link - https://archive.org/details/dli...

The British army of the Napoleonic era was arguably the most effective to ever take the field…but it had its dark side… ill-discipline.  We’ve all heard the famous “scum of the earth” quotes from Wellington and we know that the redcoats and riflemen were fond of a drink, but do the statistics show them to be an unruly mob of troublemakers?  In the Sharpe TV series and books we see that morally cor...

Alexander Burnes - soldier, explorer, shagger - One of the most interesting men in British colonial history. In today's episode, learn the story of this complex man who is a character in the computer game Assassin's creed and is also in the novel Flashman.  Below are the links to the books I used for my research. Some are Amazon links, if you purchase via these then Amazon throw me a few cents in...

This is the second installment of a short series about Moorosi's rebellion of 1879. In today's episode, I am joined once more by Cam Simpson to hear all about the three men who won Victoria Crosses while fighting against Chief Moorosi's BaPhuti clan in modern day Lesotho. It was a complicated, drawn out conflict being fought at the same time as the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.  To find out more about C...

Did you know that while the British army was battling the Zulus, another force of Cape soldiers was fighting in a nearby region against the BaPhuti people of southern Lesotho? It was a complicated, drawn out conflict against a skilled and dedicated opponent.  In today's episode, I am joined once more by Cam Simpson to learn all about this little-known war in a remote part of southern Africa.  To f...

Court Martialled after his first battle, Eyre Coote went on to be Commander-in-Chief of all British and EIC forces in India. In this role, he defeated the French threat, opening up the way for British dominance on the sub-continent. His amazing career included the battles of Plassey, Wandiwash and Porto Novo. If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive...

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Rorke's Drift and it seemed like the perfect day to look at the life of one of the battle's most intriguing characters - Frank Bourne OBE, DCM. During the battle, he was a Colour Sergeant but he was to have a stellar career and be one of the few defenders who achieved his full potential. Listen to this episode to learn about his life and how realistic Nige...

In the latest episode of this short series we examine the life of "Gonny" Bromhead VC. Michael Caine played the commander of B company 2/24th in the film Zulu. His is an interesting story. If you are interested in the Anglo-Zulu War then please sign up for my mailing list at www.redcoathistory.com and receive your free eBook on the conflict.    Links:    My Rorke's Drift Podcast   Exploring the Ro...

Who was the man who commanded the small British detachment at Rorke's Drift?  This episode is a brief introduction to the life of John Chard.  If you like these stories please sign up for my mailing list and receive your free eBook about the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.  https://redcoathistory.com/2021/10/27/free-book-the-military-history-geeks-guide-to-the-anglo-zulu-war/  

Today is the final instalment of my series examining the life of General Sir Hugh Gough. One of the pre-eminent Generals of Victorian military history. Once again, Historian Chris Brice joins me on the show and explains Gough’s performance as Commander-in-Chief during the Anglo-Sikh wars of the late 1840s. Chris's book on Gough can be purchased via helion.co.uk and you can save a whopping 20% by p...

Today is the third instalment of my series examining the life of General Sir Hugh Gough. One of the pre-eminent men of British military history.   Historian Chris Brice joins me on the show again and explains Gough’s performance during the 1st Opium war in China - an interesting war that, full-disclosure, I currently know absolutely nothing about.    Chris does though as he has written a book on G...

This is the second of my short season about the life of Sir Hugh Gough, the Irish officer who was possibly the best British commander of the Peninsular war. In today's episode, I am joined once more by Dr Chris Brice to talk about Gough's command during the Rockite rebellion of 1821-24 in Ireland. This is not a deep dive into the politics - simply a look at Gough and his performance. Chris has wri...

Today's episode is the first of three exploring the life of Sir Hugh Gough - Peninsular War veteran and commander of the British and EIC forces during the Sikh Wars.  I am joined by Gough's biographer, Christopher Brice, and In today's installment we learn about Gough's background and his early years in Ireland. Chris puts forward the case that Gough was the best British Battalion Commander of the...

Today I wanted to revisit a cavalry action that the great Historian Sir Charles Oman, called “the most brilliant exploit of the British cavalry during the whole six years of the war.” And if anybody should know it’s him.   What battle do you think it is? The heavies at Salamanca? The King’s German Legion at Garcia Hernandez? Neither of those…though they are both spectacular. Watch and find out wha...

The great Historian John Laband joins me today to give us an overview of the conflict that raged between Zulu and Boer from 1837 to 1840. It is the subject of his recent book that can be purchased directly from helion.co.uk. Use the code ZULUKING20 at check out for a 20% discount code.  Most listeners will have heard of the Zulus and the Boers - two groups of people that Britain has gone to war wi...

In today's episode Steve Brown talks us through Sir Charles Grey's fascinating campaign in the West Indies at the start of the wars with Revolutionary France. Learn about the British army's excellent use of light troops and how they beat the odds in desperate jungle fighting.    Riddled with disease - casualty rates amongst the redcoats were disastrous.    Steve's book on the subject is called By...

Today I am joined by historian Gurinder Singh Mann to discuss the history of Sikh warriors and their close relationship with the British.    Gurinder has a wonderful new book out that can be purchased via this link . To get a 20% discount please put this code in at check-out ROTSS20    https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/the-rise-of-the-sikh-soldier-the-sikh-warrior-through-the-ages-c1...

There is a 20% promo code for David Snape's book 'The Fire of Venture was in his veins' when purchased via the Helion website. It is JULYMTM20 The Shangani Patrol was part of the Ndebele War of 1893-94 which ended in the overthrow of the kingdom of Lobengula, King of the Ndebele. In this episode historian David Snape talks us through the full story of this legendary engagement which is often compa...