#British Army

[theworldofwars]

A British officer of the Army Veterinary Corps in Salonika with his pets which included two jackdaws, a wild goose, a wolf cub and an Alsatian dog. 1916

[scrapironflotilla]

Second Lieutenant Harold Hemming on selecting NCOs from the recruits of the 12th West Yorkshire Regiment:

“There was no use picking out a few bright-looking chaps and telling them that they were corporals, for there was no way of indicating their rank. We did not even have brassards with stripes on them that they could wear over their coat sleeves. So I counted the men who had moustaches and found that I had just enough, so I made them all lance-corporals there and then …"

The British Army in WW1, a wonder of modern organisation.

[theworldatwar]

British infantrymen take part in a street fighting exercise amidst the ruins of a British street after an air raid - Lymington, Hampshire, England, 1941

[bantarleton]

The uniform of a senior French general, captured at the battle of Blenheim in 1704 and now forming part of the exhibition at the National Army Museum.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

These men are worth your tears. You are not worth their merriment.

- Wilfred Owen

An ex-comrade in arms from my former regiment forwarded me this video. It’s been doing the rounds amongst veterans. It doesn’t need any explanation.

Lest we forget...

[victusinveritas]

Men of the 5th Northamptonshire Regiment, 11th Inf. Brig., 78th Inf.Div. on the march near Coldragone, Italy. 25 May 1944.

(Photo source- © IWM NA 15513)

[herprivateswe]

British artillery driver and a friend share a quiet moment catching up on the news from home.

[ltwilliammowett]

Today a little excursion ashore and to a topic that may seem a little strange. But I'm currently working on a little project about the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (dating from 1660) and the Navy (please don't ask any questions yet, I'm still collecting documents). You may have seen these gentlemen and a few ladies at parades in London or somewhere else. They are on horseback and perform mounted (and some dismounted) ceremonial duties at state and royal occasions and consist of two regiments: The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) and they are the King's official bodyguards.

You might ask me now: Yes, fine, and what does that have to do with nautical matters? Well, there is a small but subtle detail on the Life Guards uniforms.

A Life Guard officer in full ceremonial uniform

You can see this hair-like detail on the helmet. That's the white plume, which in the past, but especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, was not made from hair, but from whale bone shavings from corset shops. Exciting what whale was used for.

I thought I'd share this little fact with you, maybe you'll find it as interesting as I did.

[theworldofwars]

The road from Vimy Ridge to Lens, 1920.

[lionofchaeronea]

Bully, Bruce Bairnsfather, 1914-18

[scrapironflotilla]

whoops

[theworldatwar]

A British patrol makes its way through the village of St Mauvieu during Operation Epsom - June 1944

[blue-and-gilt]

Photos of the sword display I had at last weekends excellent Auckland Blade and Knife show.

Was great to see meet with New Zealand's very talented knife makers showing off their work. Truly inspiring works of art.

For my display I opted to have a selection from the collection that covered a broad range instead of focusing on the one topic.

It was also my first use of the new boards I made after the last show. These are on their own stands giving me more table space.

Despite being a bit rough about the edges (remember folks, measure twice, cut once 🤣) they worked well. The next challenge is to improve on how the swords are mounted. Cable ties work great, but they're fiddly to pass through the cloth backing while trying to hold up a sword at the same time.

My thanks to The Auckland Blade Show for organising such a great event and for allowing me to participate. Shows like these are key to showing people just what is available and possible.

[bantarleton]

The war memorial in Abertillery, South Wales.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

True patriotism is not the love of the soil, it is the love of the past, it is respect for the generations which have gone before us.

- T.S. Eliot

[illustratus]

An Incident of Waterloo by Charles Achille d'Hardiviller