The Redcoat History Podcast

The Incredible Story of the British Army's Oldest Regiment

In today's episode, I examine which regiment is the oldest in the British army...

It's not as straight-forward as you may think. 

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Unearthing the Forgotten Battle of Umzintzani (1877)

The 9th Cape Frontier War is almost completely forgotten. But today's guest presenter Cam Simpson has been doing a lot of research on the little known Battle of Umzintzani.

It was a desperate fight deep in rural South Africa - it's a fight rich with valour, excitement and tragedy.

Cam is the author on numerous books about military history and they can be purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3WjBkGA 

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/

If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory  or sign up for our Patreon page over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

For the Honour of the Regiment! The British army's unique regimental system

Why is the British army (man for man) so damn good and why has it been so effective over the centuries?

In today's episode we explore the unique regimental system.

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/

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American Revolution: An Elite Regiment at War

The British redcoats of the American revolution…

Often mocked, undervalued or portrayed as red-coated imperial storm troopers with a hatred of freedom loving American rebels.

In the last episode, we looked at who they really were, their backgrounds, places of birth and how much training they received.

Well today we are joined once more by author Robbie McNiven to find out more about the 33rd regiment of foot during the revolution. There battles, how they performed and why ultimately the Americans won the war.

The 33rd were arguably Britians most elite regiment of the era…not including the Foot Guards of course…and they fought in almost every major battle of the revolution.

Robbie's book on the regiment can be purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3J8TgvA 

American Revolution: Who were the Redcoats?

The British Army of the American revolution.

Like most British armies throughout history, they were over-stretched, under resourced and fighting thousands of miles from home against a tough and determined enemy.

But what do we really know about these men in the red coats?

Were they the proverbial scum of the earth?

Was the army their only option to avoid the gutter?

Where were they from and how long did had they served?

And what about the officers? Were they “foppish dandies, or oafish brutes”? Or were they well-motivated and experienced soldiers doing the best for their men?

Well today I am joined by author and historian Robbie MacNiven to discover the answers to all of these questions and more.

Robbie has written a book about the 33rd Foot on campaign during the revolution - it’s called the Pattern and I’ve posted a link below.

https://amzn.to/4cH2WLo 

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Zulu War: Did this Victoria Cross Hero Fake His Own Death? Captain Cecil D’Arcy VC

Many VC winners have struggled to cope with their sudden fame and our hero today is one of them. He rose through the ranks to command one of the most famous units of the South African Frontier.

He earned a VC fighting the Zulus, served with distinction against the Basothos and then mysteriously disappeared.

Today’s story is about an incredible man - but one who remains an enigma.

A special thanks to my friend Cam Simpson who researched and co-wrote this epsiode.

His books can be found here - https://amzn.to/3TmTXGt

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/

You may also wish to get early access to my videos, without ads. Therefore you can join my Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory

 

Who are Britain’s elite bearded pioneer sergeants?

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/

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Private Henry Hook VC - the true story behind the "bad lad" of Zulu

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 latest details the life of Hooky. . . Who was he really? Was he tea-total? Did his wife think he was dead and marry another man? And  most importantly of all…what really happened inside the hospital during that horrific fight on the 22nd January 1879?

The book can purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/4a0VWqN 

Colonial Marines: The escaped American Slaves who fought for Britain during the War of 1812

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 continued to fight the Americans under the union flag - even after the war was over.

Matt's book can be pre-ordered via this link - https://amzn.to/3T7iD79 He also has a launch event taking place at the NAM on the 6th April - https://www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/black-redcoats-corps-colonial-marines 

To support the show please consider joining the Patreon over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory - it costs just $5 a month and you receive all episodes and YouTube videos early and with no ads. 

Indians in the Trenches: The Indian Corps on the Western Front 1914-15

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 Tiger Loose on an Ice Floe - all about the Ferozepore Brigade on the Western Front in 1914-15.

If you want to buy a discounted copy of the book then please follow this link put in the discount code SNAPE5 at checkout.

You can also sign up for my free mailing list over www.redcoathistory.com/newsletter - when you do so you will receive a free copy of my eBook about the Battle of Isandlwana.