An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.

[commissarmoody]

I just finished reading up on the Red river Rebellion, the Fanin raids and Riel Rebellion. I think once I finish my project in the NWF I might try and set my next on in the Amreican and Canadian PNW, only I am seeing a group of filliabusters and corprate types trying to carve up there own Kingdom
But as Ricco said thouse RAFM mind will add a nice mix to the home troops with there dress helments.
Dose any one know if they ware  red uniforms or what?

[Dewbakuk]

The uniforms broke down into the same colours as the British army, red for regulars, green for rifles, blue for artillery etc.

The RCMP hats and uniforms didn't come in until the 1920/30's unfortunately. That said, I intend to have some dressed that way in my Deadlands game if I can find figs that I like. The Pulp figures ones are too 'square' for my taste.

[commissarmoody]

Did the milita also ware the Red also?
Oh and sorry for hijacking this form

[Dewbakuk]

Yes and no. The first actual overseas deployment of Canadian troops was during the 2nd Boer War. As such, the uniforms were khaki, although they still had red ones for ceremonial/home use. The units sent were also raised from militia etc for this purpose, so would have been issued new insignia and the khaki uniforms before being sent out.

The uniforms of the militia's before being formed into Regulars were varied, however many of them were the red everyone loves.

[Dewbakuk]

For a description in brief, this is pretty good http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/boer/canadianuniforms_e.html

[Skrapwelder]

Some pictures from Canada's Military Heritage site:

http://www.phmc.gc.ca/cmh/en/page_540.asp?flash=1




For some added flavor you could include a unit of Meti scouts. A friend of mine uses some of the Foundry Mountain Men and the Ride with the Devil figures for his Metis.

[Dewbakuk]

I asked about Metis figs in this thread on TMP
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=102901

Some suitable figs came up.

[Skrapwelder]

I asked about Metis figs in this thread on TMP
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=102901

Some suitable figs came up.

I'd forgotten about those Texians.

[Dewbakuk]

Yeah, I was quite impressed by them. Good job you recomended them 

[commissarmoody]

Yep they look great, just more stuff for me to blow my cash on.
I never wanted to be rich anyways.
lets see here once I add a few more reguler line troops and lancers to my NWF, and Then I add a few home servie line troops with the spiked helments, I will be off to a good start.
I will have to map this out and put it on another thread I am thinking.

[Ricco]

I should have said "Wild Colonial Boy".  It was the eve of Canada day when I wrote it.

As for troops, everyone who had stuff to say about RAFM and Canadians looking just like Brits was right on.  There are some differnt alternatives.  In one campaign that was never "fought"  troops were deployed to the west in red tunics with blue service uniform pants or earth brown/dark tan pants. Head gear was a hat with one side turned up much like the ANZACs.

In the 2nd Anglo-Boer war, most Canadian units other than the RCR and some Arty, were issued with Stetsons (RCMP/Forest Ranger/Boy Scout hats).  There are figs representing US units with this type of head gear.  Bob Murch - Pulp US marines, Brigade - Banana wars and Old Glory- Pancho Villa, lines that could substitute in a pinch.

[commissarmoody]

So when are we going to see this big inconvenient battle?

[Thunderchicken]

So when are we going to see this big inconvenient battle?

Malamute and I fought the battle yesterday but alas we will keep you in suspense until tomorrow while we download the pics and write the report up. It'll be worth waiting for   

[thejammedgatling]

Funny you should be talking about the Fenian raids and the Red River expedition. I just finished reading a book about the Canadian voyageurs or river guides that took part in that campaign. It was led by none other than General Wolesely. So impressed was he by the performance of the voyageurs (many of whom were French speaking and part or full blood Indian) that he got around 500 of them to lead his troop boats up the Nile in the rescue attempt on Gordon some years later. So yes, I suppose the first official deployment for the Canadians was the Boer war, but the first time the British empire had called upon their skills in a military campaign (outside of the Americas and Canada) would probably be the Sudan. I have most of the Perries Sudan range but would love them to create a Sudan whaling boat (the type they used) with Voyageur crew.

Just think...can you imagine the cultural mix in the Sudan campaign? Canadian full blood Indians guiding Scots Highlanders, Egyptian fellas and Turkish Bashi Bazouk mercenaries past yards where Chinese labourers toiled to build railways and West African kroomen guided steam launches up the Nile? It reads almost like a VSF novel. Not sure the paint box is up to it...

thejammedgatling

[commissarmoody]

[/quote]

Malamute and I fought the battle yesterday but alas we will keep you in suspense until tomorrow while we download the pics and write the report up. It'll be worth waiting for   
[/quote]

Damn you for makeing us wait!   
Always enjoy your reports and cant wait.