My late dad served in the 17th/21st Lancers during WW2 in the British Reconnaissance Corps. He never spoke about his war years but would happily regale us with tales of the history of his regiment.
Sit Winston got around didnt he. Its amazing the men of that era and all of the traveling they did. Most of us cant even get out of our own home town. Another great story Chris.
Once again, thank you for all the work you put into making these videos! I especially like that you mentioned what happened to the participants later in life.
I read Winston Churchill's book the River War, many moons ago. Wonderful video on this fantastic time between the old world gallantry, and the oncoming industrial machine. What a life those men lived!
He certainly did. India, Sudan, South Africa, and the western front. Not to mention getting rather close to the action in Cuba, when he was supposed to be a simple war correspondent.
Thanks Chris. Yet another enthralling episode.! Showing the many facets to Churchills personality.! I read his Headmaster wrote on his report card, when he was a 10yr old pupil at Ascot, that ‘he has no ambition’.!! Oops.!!
Well done, Chris. As a boy of 13, I, along with my mother and sister, were visiting my grandmother in Worcester for the summer. We lived in Florida so this trip to the UK was my first time traveling outside the US. We took many day trips aboard the “Midland Red” motor coaches to fascinating places. One such trip was to a town called Woodstock. Long story short, we were walking along in front of an official looking building when there was a clammer of people just ahead. There were a couple of men in suits and a couple of police officers. One man was pushing an older gentleman in a wheelchair. I remember my gran saying “it’s Winnie”! Everyone lined up and he was pushed along towards a car. He shook each of our hands. I didn’t know what or who a “Winnie” was until later in my life and what an opportunity and privilege that trip truly meant. I’m almost 76 now, but this event has been one that continues to amaze. Thank you for your marvelous gift of bringing history to life.
Your videos are awesome! This 24 year old history lover can’t get enough of your content!! KEEP IT COMING! Don’t usually leave ppl comments, but I feel you probably deserve to know how much you help me enjoy history!
I have a book called Frontiers and Wars, which is a collection of Churchill’s books he wrote, the River War is one of them, along with the Malakand field Force, London to Ladysmith, and Ian Hamilton’s march. After watching your excellent videos on this series, I have dugout the book, and I am going to enjoy re-reading it. Excellent video Chris, I’m glad I subscribed. From the Great South Land 🇦🇺
That's a brave british gentleman for sure. One who knew war from being at this charge ! And of course he's the most famous and important Englishman second only to Alfred the Great. Thank you Chris, do you know what Mauser he used? My 2 grand aunt from Sachsen Coburg met him shortly in London before WW I, my mother told me. British hussars wore lances? Thank you very much for that perfect piece of english history Chris! God's Blessings from Northern Germany Ludwig
He had several of the. C96 in 7,63*25 Mauser . It was then a space era comparable system with its way forward thinking and being what Paul Mauser needed to be able to offer more. In UK Westley Richards, John Rigby imported them. WDM Bell also had one,but in 9*25 Mauser Export . Easier to say which countries not using the Broom handle .
I agree that the Calvary charge served it's purpose clearing the army's flank, what is really amazing is that they suffered so few casualties compared to the Mahdists. The Mahdists were fierce warriors but seemed to lack the training and discipline of the British force and instead of forming a unified line they basically fought more like an angry mob.
I never knew Churchill had such an interesting past, I will definitely have to learn more about the man. He seems to be quite the adventurer in his youth seeking a greater glory. Well done, amigo, and looking forward to the new year bringing the light of knowledge to bear.
A good starting point would be reading 'My Early Life', by Churchill himself, I'm currently reading 'Churchill's First War' by Con Coughlin, about Churchill's time fighting the Taliban on the North West frontier.
You should also read about his ancestor, John Churchill, he advanced through the ranks and became supreme commander of the British army. He was never defeated in battle. He also was a very capable statesman during a very turbulent era of late 17th and early 18th century Britain. He was also a truly remarkable individual.
Perhaps if these tales were told in school, young British boys would hold thier heads high, but instead the youth are fed a one sided lesson on history, which seems designed to bring forth shame.
Bang-on Chris ... beautifully done with absolute accuracy. Know the story well and Churchill's work, which I have first editions and supporting publications.
Thanks I really enjoyed that and it was good to hear the ‘though shalt not kill’ ‘motto’ and Churchill’s polo injury and Mauser stories too. The 17th Lancers with whom they amalgamated in 1923 were in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. The 17th/21st fought through WWII North Africa and Italy fighting as infantry at Monte Casino. Steeped in History
I saw the film here in Australia when I a young 13 year old, and I still have the booklet about the making of the movie that was given out at the picture theatre, and remarkably! I still remember the tune to it.
A great piece Chris, very interesting. It’s amazing what a “colourful” life young Winston had before settling into politics. You mentioned this being amongst the last great cavalry charges and indeed it is. However, there is another lesser known mounted action that would probably make a great video (Apologies if you’ve already covered this) - The Charge of The Australian Light Horse at Beersheba in 1917. Whilst technically not cavalry, it was nonetheless a courageous and decisive mounted attack. What do you think? 🤔
I am surprised that no one else has yet mentioned the charge at Beersheba. it is on my list to cover sometime in 2024 which I am sure my mini Australian viewers will enjoy. Technically of course it was not a British cavalry regiment charging
My uncle Ken, who i was named after, was killed as a tank driver in the 17th and 21st attempting to cross the Sangro river valley in Italy. I treasure his regimental red and blue slouch cap and ‘skull’ cap badge. I took them both along with me and my three children to visit his grave near Torino di Sangro a while back. Lest we forget.
Another galant and courageous fight. War can bring out the best and worst of people. I have seen this myself. Good old Churchill, he never stood by. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Chris, Happy New Year!! I've had a History Chap binge today, all great stories well narrated as ever. What bravery on both sides and all over in less time than coporal jones could say Don't Panic, Don't Panic!! Very poignant that Churchill should attend his funeral at the end of a different war. Look forward to the cockleshell heroes story. I know it vaguely but look forward to hearing and seeing the detail. I used to live near to where they were based at Lumps Fort, which still exists and is now a rose garden. There is a memorial nearby on the seafront and they are also remembered in the name of a road and two community centres. All the best!!
What an amazing recount of events, and well presented too. Your Sudan playlist has grown to quite a size and is, in my opinion, your best work. You mentioned the Mad Mullah and Somali campaign, will we be seeing a video discussing these events soon, one hopes so.
Chris ... Richard Broadwell, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA, back to you with a FYI: as an avid all things Churchill collector for 40yrs, I have a book to recommend that you and your subscribers may be unaware of; of course, the book is devoted to Churchill and the 21st Lancers, Battle of Omdurman. Title is THE LAST CHARGE, The 21st Lancers and the Battle of Omdurman, 2 September 1898; authored by Terry Brighton, Crowood Press, 1998. Expertly written, thoroughly magnificently illustrated, includes artist color plates; large format, 128 pages. The title is but one of seven titles in a Crowood publication series focusing on British battles from Culloden to the Somme. All titles are well worth having, and all are similar in format and extensive test and illustration content. Cheers, R.
This famous cavalry charge has always held a great place of pride for my family as my great grandfather participated in the charge. 3168 (or 3186) Corporal Owen William Payne (originally 'Eaton') was a member of 'D' squadron which, apparently, was 'made up' during the campaign from 'other squadrons.' I have always been told he ended up as a Warrant Officer in the '21st'. After retiring from the army he settled in Wallsend, ran a pub but drank the profits. Eventually he worked in the Corps of Commissionairs at the Newcastle Lit and Phil. Bill as he was apparently known, literally, worked up until the day he died in 1933. The most enduring and amusing, passed down, word of mouth image of my great grandfather was that when he was retired he received his pension quarterly and upon receiving the monies, he would dress in his riding boots and britches then go down to the local pub to eat oysters, drink copious amounts of beer and, frankly, get pxxsed.... Huzzah, literally, great grandad!!!
Look up Mauser Archive that is In Liege they have i do about some of his weapons . He lost one of his c96s In South Africa moments before he was captured He bought them via John Rigby and Westley Richards , both firms thriving today In UK and worldwide .
Thanks, Chris. Great work as usual. Not a period I know much about. Forgive me for not looking, but I hope that (chronologically) you'll do the Second Boer War next.
Good presentation as usual. Certain members of the lancers, including Churchill, really put up a good fight. It goes to show how effective those Mauser pistols were at the time. Churchill like the great actor Christopher Lee, had quite a life, fought and led in multiple wars, became a politician and would go on to be a crucial leader at a time when one was most needed. It was nice of him to get the skin graft for the injured officer and to later attend the funeral of his fellow lancer. All things considered, the lancer's human casualties were relatively light compared to the infantry, but those poor horses! On another note, the 21st Lancers strength in this battle was close to that of a full strength on campaign infantry battalion in the Napoleonic Wars. Not related to this video, but in my mind, Kitchener and not Sir John French should have commanded the BEF in France when the First World War began in 1914 as unlike French who had previously served as a cavalry commander in colonial conflicts, had army command experience as displayed in the 1896-98 campaign against the Mahdists.
Winston, a colossus of a man, the greatest Briton to have ever lived, and their have been so so many, Nelson, boudicca, caractacus, Henry v Cromwell, Richard the lionheart.... Yet now his funeral barge is sold off, his statue in London graffited, his memory and life, squalidly insulted by those who are a pathetic product of their limited intelligence.
What about the movie The Four Feathers with Ralph Richardson? Harry Faversham.The thin red line. The young soldier telling the old professional there getting terrible close and the old timer saying if you can't look close your eyes i'll let you know when to open them. Is that movie based on some fact?
Tablet from the church of St Stephen, Gateacre (opposite our pew in the 1960/70s) " To the Glory of God and in Memory of Lance corporal Isaac Woods who was killed in the charge of the 21st Lancers at the Battle of Omdurman on the 2nd day of September 1898. This Glorious Victory gained over the dervishes delivered the Sudan from the tyranny of the Khalifa and his fanatical followers." I last saw this in 1973! I'm pretty sure the Victorians spelt Sudan differently but I can't swear to it.
Good evening, Chris, I keep saying that I need uninterrupted time to watch & listen to one of your amazing stories. Well, this one was so good, I was pulling sand from behind my ears. As we lurch into this period of our history. Will we find men & women like you have described in your telling's. They were men made of incredible stuff back then. Thank you as always for another amazing telling. I hope in your in line for an OBE. Cheers
5:05 "Churchill saluted smartly..." Somehow I'm unable to imagine Churchill doing that. "Saluted sarcastically" or "saluted condescendingly" seems much more in character for him.
I think he probably was unsure as to how Kitchener would react if he recognised him, seeing as he had specifically turned down his request to join the expedition.
People like to talk about how the Europeans used machine guns and artillery to mow down natives -- and that did happen. But when lance met spear, the British were victorious even though they were horribly outnumbered and the terrain was not in their favor.
there's an insane factor of level of technology of each side in the charge. oddly,cavalry was reaching it's end, when parts of Africa never had cavalry.
Bless you for this. I saw the movie, Young Winston, and thought the charge was wonderfully done. Too bad you couldn't use some of the footage the way you did with Hicks Pasha. 21st Lancers is Little Big Horn with luck on the army's side. I can't help thinking, though, if the American experience,. relying on pistols and carbines, rather than edged weapons, the lancers might have fared better. I also was reminded of Kipling's poem about fuzzy-wuzzy, who broke the British square. Great stuff. Can't thank you enough. PS What in the world is eventing?
I was impressed with Mr Churchill service as a solider, but more impressed with Churchill the man attending the funeral service of his brother in arm in 1944.
Winston Churchill and others carried the Mauser c96 on that day, a weapon barely a year old, representing the bleeding edge of technology in the day. And yet they rode in the 21st "Lancers" employing a weapon wholly obsolete in the year of our Lord 1897. I guess we needed to make up for no answers during the Napoleonic wars😂
Fighting freedom for the empire, they lacked some Sith lords to win the charge. It's crazy they didn't give revolvers instead of lances in 1898 knowing that a first switch was already done around 1570
Isn't a little ironic that a GERMAN gun saved Churchill 's life (at least twice!)? Great description of what could've became an one sided massacre, and on the contrary was another example of British soldiers ' courage & discipline, that were able to overcome a numerically superior enemy.👍
Just as a note, if Churchill had not had a dodgy shoulder and not used his Mauser instead of his sword, he may well have fallen. He sustained the injury grasping a dock ladder while landing in Bombay on his way to join the Malakand Field Force on the North West Frontier. The rowing boat surged down in the swell after he had grasped the iron rung, just below the gateway to India monument and inured his shoulder. So there's a what if....
