Thursday, May 21, 2015

Colonial Army in Review


Delhi Durbar, 1911


I thought I would hold my own "Durbar" today to display my British and Indian Colonial Forces, circa 1878.  I have often seen Alte Fritz's Grand Reviews of his amazing Seven Years War Armies. I have borrowed the concept for my much smaller Colonial army. I can only claim to have myself painted the Gunga Din figure, the regimental bhisti of Rudyard Kipling's famous poem, plus the other Indian bearers. All of the other figures were painted by either Leuthen Studios or Carl Robson. The collection was the work of several years and includes figures by Perry, Foundry, Empress and Pontoonier Miniatures.





Left: 13th Bengal Lancers (Duke of Connaught's Horse)
Right: 9th Bengal Lancers (Hodsons Horse)
Left: 13th Bengal Lancers (Duke of Connaught's Horse) 
Right: 9th Bengal Lancers (Hodsons Horse)

13th Bengal Lancers (Duke of Connaught's Horse) 

9th Bengal Lancers (Hodsons Horse)

The Queen's Own Corps of Guides, Mounted and Foot 

The Queen's Own Corps of Guides, Mounted and Foot 


Kohat Battery, Mountain Artillery with 7 pounder Screw-guns
15th Bengal Infantry (Ludhiana Sikhs)

45th Bengal Infantry (Rattray's Sikhs)

Regimental bhisti and bearers






So I'll meet 'im later on
At the place where 'e is gone --
Where it's always double drill and no canteen;
'E'll be squattin' on the coals
Givin' drink to poor damned souls,
An' I'll get a swig in hell from Gunga Din!
Yes, Din! Din! Din!
You Lazarushian-leather Gunga Din!
Though I've belted you and flayed you,
By the livin' Gawd that made you,
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!




Left: Gardiner Gun and Naval Brigade Crew

Right: Royal Artillery with 7 pounder Screw-gun

2nd Battalion, Queen's Regiment

92nd Gordon Highlanders

York and Lancashire Regiment


5th (Royal Irish) Lancers


5th (Royal Irish) Lancers

19th Hussars


19th Hussars


10th Hussars
10th Hussars
10th Hussars

Camel Corps, 5th Dragoon Guards section

Camel Corps, 5th Dragoon Guards section

Royal Horse Artillery with 9 pdr Gun


Royal Army Medical Corps

Royal Army Medical Corps

13th Bengal Lancers Duke of Connaughts aka 4th Sikh Watsons Horse

13th Bengal Lancers Duke of Connaughts aka 4th Sikh Watsons Horse 

9th Bengal Lancers (Hodsons Horse)

9th Bengal Lancers (Hodsons Horse)