If you're at all interested in the AWI, this video is well worth spending an hour and a half on. The first third to a half is talk about Robbie MacNiven's book, The Pattern: The 33rd Regiment of Foot in the American Revolution 1770-1783. The rest covers the research undertaken, characters in the regiment (and other units that crop up) that the team find interesting, how they became involved in re-enacting and favourite items of kit. A real geekfest - and that's a positive thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnWcFCeXQCY&t=29s
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| I bought and read the book last year and found it excellent and full of inspiring actions. Also it strengthened the impression I was getting from a few recentish books on the professionalism of the British Army of the 18th century. |
Another book named-checked in the video is Don Hagist's volume on the flank companies of the AWI, These Distinguished Corps. Also very worth reading.
Thanks for the book and film recon.
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome. Hope you enjoy it.
DeleteChris
Ooh cheers for posting this Chris. I’m off for a gander!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
DeleteAlways good to get your tips. Cheers Chris.
ReplyDeleteYou’re too kind. I just came across the video by happenstance.
DeleteChris
Looks like it would be an interesting watch/listen Chris - but I beg to differ with the title of your post - and I have support from a famous friend! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazingly the attack was successful, and the Gordon Highlanders received the utmost praise from Winston Churchill himself! He stated, "There is no doubt that they are the finest Regiment in the world. "
Ah! I took the title of the video as the title of my post. If I put it in inverted commas would that be acceptable? I probably should have.
DeleteThe Gordons were Johnny Comelatelys Keith. Formed in the 1790s as 92nd Foot. So I’d rule them out on the grounds that they failed to even turn up for the AWI. If you want a Scots unit to challenge the Pattern, you’ll have to look to the 71st. 😉
Chris
True about the Gordons provenance Chris - but we could substitute the Royal Scots - they are the oldest regiment in the British Army!
DeleteThe 33rd (I think) was the regiment Wellington was first commissioned into, and thus later became the Duke of Wellingtons regiment??
Indeed they were the Duke’s regiment. And were known as such until relatively recently - merged into the Yorkshire Regiment in 2006. Pretty much like what happened to all the Scottish infantry regiments around the same time.
DeleteChris
Yes, it did, sadly - the Gordons (and Queens Own Highlanders) became The Highlanders in the nineties I think and THEN they became 4 SCOTS, The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland!
DeleteThanks for the 'heads up' Chris and will aim to watch this during one of my 'me time' afternoon sessions during the week:).
ReplyDeleteThere isn’t a huge amount to look at, so you could have it on as background listening. Apart from the 3 participants dressed in uniforms of the 33rd Foot grenadiers, 33rd line company and 40th Foot light company.
DeleteChris
As always an interesting post and even before I got yo Keith's comment I knew you would have an argument on your hands from him!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain caveadsum1471
The irony is, it's not even my claim that the 33rd was the best regiment in the British Army during the AWI. But it was known as the Pattern by contemporaries. 😄
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