The Redcoat History Podcast

Gurkhas: How this elite unit came of age during the siege of Delhi (1857 - Indian Mutiny)

The Gurkha’s - one of the most famous regiments in the British army. These tough men from Nepal have fought across the globe for Britain. 

But how did they end up fighting for the British and when did they emerge as an elite unit? That’s the story we are telling today.

I am joined by the wonderful Josh Provan who can be found on Twitter

as @LandOfHistory

 

Please also join my mailing list here. When you do so you will receive a free copy of my book all about the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. 

 

The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 (Part 4): The British besiege Delhi

It is the hot summer of 1857. A small besieging British force, massively outnumbered and outgunned by the Sepoys inside the city. . .

Can this ragtag bunch of British soldiers and hastily raised regiments from the Punjab really retake the seat of the Mughal empire? Can they finally gain a victory and change the course of the Rebellion?

Today’s story is fascinating, filled with glory and honour but also brutality and terror.

Stick with me to find out more about the siege of Delhi in 1857. 

Amarpal Singh's book "The Siege of Delhi" can be purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3OiR6gS

If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: 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

 

The Sepoy Mutiny (Part 3): Cawnpore - Deadly siege, bloody massacre

Cawnpore - was a key battle during the war of 1857 in northern India. But it was more than just a battle - it became a rallying cry. It was a brutal fight followed by an infamous and tragic massacre and eventually some terrible retribution from the British.

Join me as I continue my series on the Indian mutiny of 1857 - known in India as the 1st War of Independence.

My key source for this video was Andrew Ward's book, "Our bones are scattered" that can purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3mE4HUI

You can also read Mowbray Thomson's book for free via this link - https://archive.org/details/storycawnpore00thomgoog/mode/2up

and Shepherd's book can be read here -

https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284844/page/n47/mode/2up

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: 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

Making Military History Cool Again? An author, a podcaster and a musician walk into a history symposium...

Want to hear how a historical fiction author researches his books and how a military themed metal band makes sure their lyrics are accurate? 

Today is a fun episode where I catch up with two old friends of the show - fiction author James Mace and Rock Legend Chris Simpson. 

James has two new books coming out - https://www.legionarybooks.net/

Forlorn Hope are working on a new concept album. Follow them here: https://forlornhope.uk/home 

The Clash of Empires exhibition is running until the end of July - book your free tickets here - https://clashofempires.org/  

If you want to follow what I'm up to and receive a free eBook about the Anglo-Zulu War at the same time then just fill out the sign up form for my email newsletter via

bit.ly/redcoathistory 

Lord Chelmsford: The man who lost the Battle of Isandlwana (w/ John Laband)

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 please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://www.redcoathistory.com/newsletter 

Rorke’s Drift - the comic book! An interview with Colin Mathieson

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 also other comic books about the conflict that can be found. 

Colin's website is - https://momentofadventure.blogspot.com/ 

You can buy your tickets for the Clash of Empires Symposium at https://clashofempires.org/symposium/ 

If you want to support the Redcoat History podcast then please share links with friends and family and sign up for my monthly newsletter over at https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

 

The Natal Mounted Police: Blue-Blood Troopers in Zululand

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 new book on the subject is out today and can be purchased at Amazon.

amzn.to/44ihFHL 

He should also have some paper copies for sale at the Clash of Empires Zulu War exhibtion happening now in London (July 2023). 

If you want tickets to the event please order via clashofempires.org 

 

Huge Zulu War Exhibition! Clash of Empires

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 to meet the pre-eminent historians of the Anglo-Zulu War. 

To find out more and book your tickets please visit www.clashofempires.org 

 

The Sepoy Mutiny, part 2: Delhi Explodes and the oldest ever Victoria Cross recipient earns his award!

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 Mutiny 1857-58 (Osprey) by Gregory Freemont Barnes - https://amzn.to/3Kx0RWz

The Sepoy Mutiny as seen by a Subaltern from Delhi to Lucknow by Edward Vibart - https://archive.org/details/dli.granth.116947/page/19/mode/2up

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: 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

 

Op Banner: The British army’s longest deployment (w/Jonathan Trigg)

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. It's fascinating stuff. 

His latest book is called Death in the Fields and can be purchased via this link on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3BCG0fi 

Jonathan also has hiw own website here - https://jonathantrigg.co.uk/ 

As for me, please subscribe to my mailing list here -bit.ly/redcoathistory  When you do so you will receive a free copy of my book about the Anglo-Zulu War.