"Warriors in Scarlet: The Life and Times of the Last Redcoats" Topic

"An acclaimed military historian, Knight draws on first-hand accounts to show us the reality of life for the British soldier in this era – the drudgery of peace-time service, the excitement and privations of posting overseas, the floggings and desertions, the regimental pride and comradeship. The rapid expansion of the empire saw the army fighting in small wars across the world and Knight reveals the brutal reality of this colonial conflict from both sides. British soldiers trained in tactics that had beaten Napoleon were forced to adapt when faced with warriors with very different skills fighting on their home ground…"

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Armand

Thanks! Looks like a winner! Altho' these weren't really the last of the redcoats. Not sure why that title was chosen, the book ends at 1860.

A votre service mon ami…

Armand

wasn't Ginnis the last major battle that the brits wore red ?

Your are right… Dec 30th 18885 in Sudan…

Armand

Ginnis and Kirbekan, in the Sudan 1884-85, altho' I've seen photos of British infantry deploying in their home service scarlet tunic uniforms with foreign service helmets in Africa in the late 1890s still. But they didn't fight any major engagements.

I'm not sure if the red coats were even taken to the Boer War for wear out-of-line or ceremonial duties. Maybe officers packed theirs? Anyone know?

I think the 1860 date was chosen since from that date on, the trend for drab or khaki clothing that emerged in the 1850s became the increasingly the norm- although red frocks in continued to be worn in the field until the 1880s, the last major campaign being Wolseley's Egypt expedition of 1882- allthough was only because the grey clothing ordered by Wolseley failed to be delivered in time. After that the use of red coats was a footnote to history, appearing in the field episodicallyas late as 1897, often for warmth in thei field to supplement cotton drill. From 1885, khaki was the standard working and field dress in India, and when the next major expeditionary force left British shores the troops would be dressed in khaki- although even in 1899-1900 troops departing Britain in winter might be seen wearing scarlet frocks.

Thanks!

Armand