Redcoats?

[Onebigriver]

Been playing around with the idea of collecting Zulu & Redcoat forces in 15mm for a HOTT variant, but don't want to limit myself to the Ango-Zulu conflict. Been reading around and know that only a few soldiers wore red coats in the Sudan campaign (and generally not for long!), so I was wondering what other small wars could be fought with the redcoats?

[Plynkes]

Here's an incomplete list off the top of my head of wars from that time in which scarlet-clad Tommies fought. I may have missed some things, such as messing about on the North West Frontier, but I think they were mostly in khaki during this period. Some of these wouldn't have looked exactly like Zulu War soldiers, but pretty close:

9th Cape Frontier War 1877-88
Zulu War 1879
Pedi War (Sekhukhune Campaign) 1879
2nd Afghan War 1878-80 (the odd unit here and there, early doors)
Transvaal War 1880-81
Egypt 1882
Sudan 1884-88 (bits and bobs here and there as you say)
Zulu Uprising 1888 (mounted infantry mostly, as far as redcoats are concerned I believe)

[Hobbit]

Am I correct in thinking that the British went out for the 1896 Ashanti Campaign in Home Service Dress? (I know it's not QUITE the same thing, but close enough in 15mm).

[Plynkes]

Aye, that's true. The last time that British regulars wore the scarlet on active service, so they say.


(artist's impression - Plynkes takes no responsibility for the correctness or otherwise of uniform details)

Though there was no fighting, so it wasn't the last time it was worn in action. I'm not sure when that was, opinions differ. Most books say Ginnis 1885.

[Helen]

1st Boer War comes to mind.

Cheers,

Helen

[Plynkes]

Yeah, that's on my list, Helen.  

It's just that I used the name it was called by at the time: The Transvaal War. I don't really like "First Boer War" much as a name, considering the British had had two wars with the Boers before that one.  

[Will Bailie]

1885 - Riel Rebellion (aka Northwest Rebellion, or Northwest "Resistance" as it's now been renamed).  Not exactly British, but Canadian militia regiments wore British uniforms (they also had a couple of Rifle regiments in green and some NWMP (mounties)).  Gives you a chance to pit redcoats against Indians (the Amerindian kind) and Metis (descendants of Indians and fur traders).  Also fun because the Canadian militia were definitely amateurs compared to their opponents. 

[Onebigriver]

Brilliant, lots of ideas, thanks all!

[Helen]

Yeah, that's on my list, Helen.  

It's just that I used the name it was called by at the time: The Transvaal War. I don't really like "First Boer War" much as a name, considering the British had had two wars with the Boers before that one.  

Thanks Dylan, it should have registered with me - doh!

Cheers,

Helen

[Plynkes]

Sorry for being such a Picky Pete, H. Sometimes I just can't help myself. 

[Onebigriver]

Get a room you two!