The Redcoat History Podcast

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 

If you want to support me then please sign up for my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

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/

Sign up for the Patreon account to watch the videos ad free and weeks before they appear on YouTube https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

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. 

Disaster!:The worst British defeats of the Victorian era...

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 tuned till the end to discover which defeat we consider to be the worst and why they were all worse than you think.

Thanks to Chris Brice for co-writing this episode. His books can be found via this link - https://amzn.to/49y094U 

Redcoats versus Samurais: The story of British troops in Japan during the 1860s

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 writing the script. His YouTube channel can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresinhistoryland5501

His book Wild East is available via this link - https://amzn.to/3un24KU

Sign up my mailing list to receive your free eBook about the Battle of Isandlwana: 

http://bit.ly/redcoathistory 

The Jameson Raid: Prelude to the 2nd Anglo-Boer War (walking the battlefield)

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 

Purchase: The Fascinating Story of How British Officers Bought and Sold Commissions

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 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