The last invasion of mainland Britain.
22nd February 1797, A force of 1,400 French soldiers invaded Britain at Fishguard, Wales in support of the Society of United Irishmen.
It would be defeated partially due to their own looting as well as local milita/Yeomanry.
Very apt given the 1746 dispersal at the same village, but post fort/barracks (always loved Terrance Molloy's story).
Thank you so much Generals And Napoleon (John V). For more information on the upcoming Jacobite Battlefield Tours and how to book, please use this link:
www.dukeofwellington.org/post/jacobit...
Thank you so much Generals And Napoleon (John V). For more information on the upcoming Jacobite Battlefield Tours and how to book, please use this link:
www.dukeofwellington.org/post/jacobit...
New battlefield tour announcement from our friend Marcus Cribb and it sounds magnificent! #scotland
dukeofwellington.org
Come and join me on a 3 day Jacobite Battlefield Tour!
This should be great!
Tom & I have packed it with locations, but kept the price low, through amazing scenery & history!
Weekday tour
buytickets.at/marcuscribb/...
Weekend tour
www.tickettailor.com/events/marcu...
With Redcoathistory and I back in Spain.
Following Salamanca 1812, the Battle of Garcia Hernandez, when the German Cavalry in Britain's service broke at least two French Infantry Squares.
Who were they and why was it almost unheard of?
youtu.be/lkWg9PgGzo4?...
#OnThisDay 18 November 1852 the funeral of the Duke of Wellington.
Organised by Prince Albert it was one of the largest funerals ever seen, with a 10,000 strong procession from Horse Guards to St Paul's Cathedral via Apsley House through London.
A national outpouring of grief.
You're very welcome.
We don't know how many of the Guard served from 1805 to 1815, but if someone went through the archive, they could find out (and translate).
As well as Drouot at Alava, there are about 5 British men, most famous are the Sweny brothers: share.google/BVdTkNOSa3bI...
Not so, for example, there was General Antoine Drouot, a handful of British officers and a battalion of Imperial Guard, who had acted as marines at Trafalgar & fought at Waterloo.
Born #OnThisDay 19 October 1748, in Perthshire, Thomas Graham, later Lord Lynedoch.
Growing up in Scotland, he attended Oxford University & spent years living in Europe too, before returning to Scotland.
He would go on to be one of Wellington's right hand Generals
Great to be back at #Culloden battlefield this week. First find by Samuel was a small piece of cannon shot or grape shot. @n-t-s.bsky.social
Another productive day at Culloden. Very nice piece of lead grape shot recovered. @n-t-s.bsky.social @tonypollard.bsky.social
Fought #OnThisDay 13-14 October 1810, the Battle of Sobral.
Under Masséna, encountering the Lines of Torres Vedras, Junot's force probed forwards, they pushed back skirmish lines & seized an outpost, but were quickly ejected from the position by a British counterattack.
The Combat at El Bodon 25 September 1811 might not be a grand tactical battle, but it highlights Wellington's long front line, but it is perhaps best best known for the charge of the 2/5th Regt against French Cavalry!
@redcoathistory made this
youtu.be/nrZdOdIRKsM?...
Fought #OnThisDay 23 Sept 1803 The Battle of Assaye.
Wellesley commanded 6,500 Indian & British troops against 40,000-200,000 Mahratta troops led by Hanovarian mercenary Colonel Pohlmann
Asked what his greatest vistory was Wellington replied ASSAYE.
#OnThisDay
21 Sept 1745 –Battle of Prestonpans. The Jacobites struck at dawn with a surprise attack.
Both armies ~2,000 strong.
Gen Cope fled, but his troops lost 1,100 killed, wounded or captured.
Jacobite losses: just ~100.
youtube.com/shorts/2ITah...
Sadly #OnThisDay 14 September 1852, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington passed away at Walmer Castle, he was 83 years old.
He had likely suffered a series of strokes overnight & his condition deteriorated.
He was moved from his bed to a chair where he expired at 3pm.
Can’t wait to do this all over again next year! Tickets now on sale at abroadforpleasure.uk/waterloo/
Home from a wonderful week/weekend with Sophie & Chris aka GreenMatthews they brought together a great group for their concert, and I guided them through the 100 Days then over the Battlefield at Waterloo!
Loved it!
And we're doing it again in 2026
greenmatthews.co.uk
Almeida explosion 26 August 1810, a beautiful walled Portuguese town, where the dramatic fort defences meets sleepy streets.
On the scene of the castle, you can see the huge blocks of stone "thrown" a long way from the massive explosion.
Short style if you prefer that
youtube.com/shorts/plR7c...
I do not I'm afraid, but I doubt it'd me burnt, but moved into conditioned storage probably.
It was an act of revenge for York, modern day Toronto being burnt down earlier.
So forgiveness need not be saught. (Not that an eye for an eye is a good policy, but Britain certainly didn't start it)
You're very welcome. It is commonly said.
@alanallport.bsky.social note, probably not the East Essex, as 3 units claim to be the ones.
Perhaps the most interesting part of The Burning of The White House today is three modern unitd claim their predecessors lit the torch:
Royal Marines: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines
Royal Scots: 21st Regt (Royal North British Fusiliers)
Royal Anglian Regiment: 44th (East Essex).
This was not a war of race, The British Army fought alongside native allies under Tecumsech and included the Colonial Marines (mostly free black slaves).
Perhaps the most interesting part of The Burning of The White House today is three modern unitd claim their predecessors lit the torch:
Royal Marines: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines
Royal Scots: 21st Regt (Royal North British Fusiliers)
Royal Anglian Regiment: 44th (East Essex).
Part of the Chesapeake campaign of the War of 1812, the burning of Washington/White House followed the Battle of Bladensburg, where a small force of British soliders & Marines under Gen Ross, fought back a much larger American army of regulars & Milita.
not so, it was a white mansion from at least the 1800/1801 renovation. The common myth that the building was white washed due to the burning cannot be true as the surviving walls were torn down and the building completely rebuilt. An inage from 1814 showing the already white walls scorched.
