The Redcoat History Podcast redcoathistory

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 

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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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/
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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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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 

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 
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