SI’s Dorking 1875: UD 11/4 British Lifeguards converted

[Sterling Moose]

Excellent info.  I was an Army Cadet at 16 Coy (LRB) RGJ, later 36 Coy RGJ, from 1977-83 at the Cedars.  Don't recall a big house but there were 3-4 more modern buildings in the complex that housed the permanent staff for the TA unit.  The Drill Hall complex butts against West Ham Park and is visible on Google Earth.

In February 1885 the 3rd Battalion (ie the redesignated 5th Plaistow) moved its headquarters to The Cedars, a large house on the Portway in West Ham which had previously been home to the Prison Reformer Elizabeth Fry.

On the formation of the Territorial Force in 1908, the 3rd Volunteer Battalion became the 6th Battalion, Essex Regiment, which comprised a Headquarters and seven Rifle Companies, "A" to "G" based at The Cedars, with its final Company, "H," being raised at Southend-on-Sea.  In 1911, parts of H Company relocated to the Drill Hall at 110 East Street, Prittlewell (where decades later I paraded as an Army Cadet).]

[Silent Invader]

Fascinating stuff (and another reason why I really enjoy this project, which isn’t just about the minis   ).

So the companies at Portway eventually became part of the RGJ while H company out in Prittlewell (Southend-on-sea) after being retasked as signals for the Essex Regiment became Royal Signals.

So both of our Army Cadet units had the 5th Plaistow as forebears. Small world!

[Silent Invader]

The next regiment being worked on is the Bavarian Chevaleugers (dragoons). As far as I am aware, in 28mm these are only available from Foundry (too small) and Bavarian Miniatures (3D Printed). To match the sizing of my collection, I’ve elected to convert them from Perry metal Prussian Uhlans.

It’s  required the removal of some metal, the relocation of some parts, and of course finding donor heads and carbines. I’ve now finished the basics but have a fair amount of detail to add back with GS.



Apart from the leader and trumpeter, all have carbine in hand.

While working on these I’m also prepping the British Lifeguards, which have been sourced from Northstar. However the NS horses are quite parade ground and so wanting something a bit more dynamic I’m in the throes of swapping them out for Perry plastic Nappy horses.

[Silent Invader]

It’s taken longer but was a lot less effort than expected to finish converting the British Lifeguards. The conversion was for less of a parade ground look.

A few mould lines still to remove, but this is them:







I’ve also prepped 10 casualty figures and 16 of 6 figure movement trays though have only just started the GS work on the Chevaleugers.

[carlos marighela]

Nice. Who makes the Lifeguards?

[Silent Invader]

Nice. Who makes the Lifeguards?

Well that’s a good question. I bought them from Northstar in June 2022 (yes, they’ve been waiting) but they don’t seem to be listed now. From June 2022:

[Count Belisarius]

Those are very well done and are going to look splendid when painted.

[FreakyFenton]

They look great! Cracking conversion work! 

[Silent Invader]

  Thanks guys

[AKULA]

Love the conversions Steve - your thread continues to inspire 

[Malamute]

Splendid, they should look lovely when painted

[commissarmoody]

Looks like the Perry Bros are at it again. Some Plastic Bavarians for you.
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[Silent Invader]

Looks like the Perry Bros are at it again. Some Plastic Bavarians for you.
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Thanks 

I did see those though I already have about 130 of the Eagle of Empire Bavarian Infantry so it might just be a few Perry here and there rather than boxes of them

[CapnJim]

Nice job on those.  Looking forward to seeing them painted...

[Silent Invader]

Thanks -  just being mildly distracted by Quar but normal service will soon resume