Sudan - 19th Hussars and Col Fredrick Burnaby

Work has been proceeding at pace on the Sudan Imperial units. The 19th Hussars have been completed. I have done conversion work on the lead squadron, removing the arm from its cast position and remaking it with solder and adding a curved sabre into the hand - this is made form a flattened mild steel in - I intended to do more than 1 squadron like that - but my trusty soldering iron has died - a new one is being sourced!

These are Connoisseur Miniatures once more, with a few other random horses from the lead pile. Next cavalry will be the 10th Hussars.

Colonel Frederick Burnaby–  travelling without permission - was among more than 4,000 British troops who took part at El-Teb.  Burnaby was in the thick of it, doing dire work with a characteristically unorthodox weapon: a double-barrelled shotgun.

Burnaby was a larger than life character , and Victorian Hero. Depicted here in his characteristic blue patrol dress as he refused to wear khaki. He met his end at the later battle of Abu Klea – where he had left his Shotgun behind after the bad publicity of using it on the natives at El-Teb.

 It is said Queen Victoria wept on learning of his death. The figure is by Redoubt and is a fair size compared to other 28mm – however as Burnaby was 6 foot 4 and reputed to be the strongest man in the army it seems fitting.

 We also have the newly arrived Daily Telegraph reporter Bennet Burleigh with notepad , and for the Illustrated London News Caton Woodvile looking on , protected accompanied by the skirmish screens.  I picked up the skirmish lads as part of the painted stuff I traded – they needed rebasing only .

More "Devils in Skirts" next!