"Dragon Rampant: The Royal Welch Fusiliers at War" Topic

"I never saw any regiment in such order, remarked Wellington shortly before the battle of Waterloo, it was the most complete and handsome military body I ever looked at. The object of the duke's admiration was the 23rd Regiment of Foot, the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Dragon Rampant is the story of this famous fighting unit during the tumultuous and bloody period of the wars with France. Based on rare and untouched personal memoirs and correspondence as well as new research, this compelling new history offers new insights into the evolution of the British army. Largely scorned by even its own countrymen in 1793, by 1815 it had become a professional force service capable of triumphing over the greatest general and army of the time. The men of the Royal Welch Fusiliers come alive again as Graves tracks them across three continents. We join them in major battles and countless minor actions, and empathise with them as they endure short rations, shipwreck and disease. We come to know such hard-bitten fighting men as the intrepid Drummer Richard Bentinck; the love-sick Lt George Booker; the eccentric Major Jack Hill; the naive Private Thomas Jeremiah; and, above all, their beloved commander, Lt-Col. Harvey Ellis, who led his Fusiliers in some of the most famous actions of the time only to fall at Waterloo, the last and greatest of them all. We also meet many of the men fought alongside the Fusiliers, as well as the women who faithfully accompanied them on their travels. This is a book that will appeal to all those interested in the Napoleonic wars, musket period tactics and the meaning and the cost of courage."

See here
link

Anyone has read this book?
If the answer is yes, comments please?

Thanks in advance.

Amicalement
Armand

Tanoch dros cymru!

Yes I've been considering getting this one for some time – any recommendations or opinions would be useful – particularly from anyone who's read it!

I bought it last fall, but have not gotten around to reading it. It "test read" a few pages at the show where I bought it and the writing style was nice and fluent, but that is all I can say right now. I considered taking it along on holiday next week, but it felt strange to take a book on a Welsh unit to Scotland.

I read it about a year ago. This is an excellent book by an author who is the master of the battlefield narrative. The book has plenty of maps and photos to describe the Welch Fusiliers involvement in its many battles.

I have and read (some several times)most of Donald Graves books and all of them like the subject are thoroughly researched. Although primarily known for his excellent books on the battles of the War of 1812, he has in the last few years delved into the into the Peninsular war. He had access to all of the historical resources of the regiment through many people of the regiment including the last regiment's colonel, Lt Gen J. Riley.

A solid history and a very good read. Highly recommended.

P.S. I also recommend "Fix Bayonets" by Graves, which is the story of Thomas Pearson an officer of the Welch Fusiliers who gained fame at Albuera and during most battles in Upper Canada during the War of 1812. He is quite the character…a soldier's soldier and again this is a very good read. There is some understandable overlap of these two books.

Many thanks for your good guidance IronDuke596!

Amicalement
Armand

Pearson was also a 'Busterd' who liked to use the lash, and was hated by his men. The Battalion was glad to see the back of him after he was wounded at Aldea de Pont. Trapped under his horse; his men not lifting a finger to help him.

Poor Col Ellis was killed at Waterloo and Pearson returned as the Regiment's C.O, still the 'Busterd' he always was.

Both books along with 'The Very Thing' memoirs of Drummer Richard Bentinck (Bentick) 1807-1823 are excellent.

Paul :)

Ok thanks Your Grace, on the list!

Happy for that my friend!. (smile).

Amicalement
Armand