The Redcoat History Podcast

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 

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 

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 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 

 

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 

 

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

 

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. 

 

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 the British army. 

Chris has also written a book on Brackenbury that can be purchased here. 

Talking of books, you can also get a free copy of mine about the Anglo-Zulu War when you sign up for my mailing list at this link. 

 

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.pahar.0743

Mutiny - Saul David - purchase via this link - https://amzn.to/40XjF6O

True to their Salt - Ravindra Rathee - amazon link - https://amzn.to/42SAtgO

Our bones are scattered - Andrew Ward - Amazon link - https://amzn.to/3zuUYCV

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

 

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 corrupt, brutalised officers could dish out a flogging whenever they felt like it - that the men lived in fear of corporal punishment…But is that also true? 

It’s so difficult to sort fact from fiction when it comes to crime and punishment in Wellington’s army and so to help me to do so I am joined today by THE Expert on the subject…Zack White of the Napoleonic Wars podcast. 

https://www.thenapoleonicwars.net/