THE WAR DUNGEON
The Age of Victoria
The Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria from 1836 to 1901 was one of the most incredible periods in human history. In that time frame the technological advances ushered in the industrial revolution and the modern age. we went from muskets to machine guns, from sails to steam and watched electricity become part of everyday life. It was also the birth of Romance, Schooling for children and many other social advances that we often take for granted.
Great Britain during this period was the most powerful Country on earth, the sun never did set on her Empire during this time. Queen Victoria's soldiers brought civilization and waged war across nearly every continent. From the dark jungles of the Congo and Deserts of the Sudan to the cold battlefields of Russia and Canada beyond. This was the age of high adventure and exploration, it captures the imagination and has endless appeal for research. Below you will find some of the named pieces in out collection that cover this period.
THE YOUNG BRITISH SOLDIER an excerpt.
When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine,
The guns o' the enemy wheel into line,
Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine,
For noise never startles the soldier.
Start-, start-, startles the soldier . . .
If your officer's dead and the sergeants look white,
Remember it's ruin to run from a fight:
So take open order, lie down, and sit tight,
And wait for supports like a soldier.
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier . . .
When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Soldier ~of~ the Queen!
The Sun Never Sets
The Campaigning Regions of the British Empire
The Dominion of Canada
India
The Northwest Frontier
The Orient
Brigadier General Owen Cadogan Wolley-Dod, CB, DSO
2nd Lancashire Fusiliers
The tales of Adventure surrounding this hero of the Lancashire fusiliers are scarcely comparable. From the dusty plains of Omdurman to the blasted hell of Spion Kop he would rise to the rank of Brigadier, playing a key role at the Gallipoli landings.
Colonel Arthur Henry Courtenay, CB
3rd&4th Battalions Cameronians "Scottish Rifles"
Colonel Courtenay was a career militia officer who led the 3rd&4th battalion Cameronians during the Boer War. He wrote an incredibly detailed book on his experiences which is included here.
Captain George Holbrow Lang, DSO
Royal Navy
George Holbrow Lang rose from the rank of Midshipman to Captain, he would fight across the South African Veldt in the Boer war, Free slaves off the Zanzibar coast and patrol the cold Atlantic in WW1. Later making voyages across the empire, his story is one that is an incredible look into the small managing actions the British Empire and Royal Navy undertook.
This incredible man would win the Victoria Cross while yelling "You can stop them if you want to, the Boche are no bloody good!" during the Disastorous 3rd battle of the Ainse. He saved the day and his earlier exploits in africa are also of note. Truly and exceptional piece and story.
Major Charles Wilfred Hext
1st Devonshire Regiment
Indian Supply &Transport Corps
Charles Hext served with the Devonshire regiment during the Boer War, he would remain in South Africa until 1902. He would then transfer to the Indian Supply & Transport Corps in 1909, he would serve during the Abor Expedition of 1911, during the great war he would continue to service with the Indian Army on the Western Front until 1916. He would pass away in 1919 in Alexandria still serving.
Gunner David Vickers
8th Bengal Mountain Battery, Royal Field Artillery
Gunner David Vickers would serve 22 years in the British Army. He would fight in the North West Frontier of India during 1897 and have a critical role in the famous Battle of Dargai Heights!
Major William Augustus Richardson, OBE, MD
Queens Own Rifles
Beginning his service with the Queens own rifles in the Riel Rebellion of 1885, this mans career would follow the CPR west and he would become a very important Doctor and Administration in early BC History.
During the Great War he served as a Major in the RAMC, his son would be awarded the MC being later KIA in WW2.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Stuart Burnett, KCB, CBE, DSO
8th Company, 1st Battalion, Derbyshire Regiment
Highland Light Infantry
From Africa to Mesopotamia, he would live a life of incredible adventure. He first fought the Boers in 1900 then Rebels in Northern Nigeria. He would take to the air in 1914 becoming a pilot. Burnett would go on to play a key role in the air wars of WW1 and WW2, eventually commanding the Royal Australian Airforce.
Merchant Seaman David Blake
British Merchant Fleet
David Blake served on steamships for over 20 years as a Merchant seaman during the late Victorian Age. His travels would take him all over the world, across the rough Atlantic.
Major Lionel Thomas Hillier Leland
61st Company, 17th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry
Major Leland would serve with the Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War and take a demotion to Lt. in 1916 so he could rejoin the men of the Worcestershire Regiment in time for the Somme. He blew the whistle and led them over the top on July 1st, being severely wounded. Something that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Driver John Henry Rowe
126th Battery, Royal Field Artillery
John Henry Rowe would serve from Egypt to India experiencing all the Adventure of a Victorian Soldier during the 1880s-1890s. He would even take part in the Recapture of Omdurman during the Mahdist War!
Constable Charles Cornfoot
South African Constabulatory
Charles Cornfoot would enlist to serve in the Boer War with the South African Constabulary, this was a police force organized in August 1900 and consisted of mostly Canadians. the Unit participated in many engagements, operations with 6 decorations being one and 57 Canadians dying.
He went on to serve with the Royal Northwest Mounted Police and when the great war broke out he enlisted to do his part with the 78th Depot Battery, being killed in action during the last month of the war.
