An Australian soldier writes home from his billet on the Somme front, 1916.

I’ve got a looong few months of summer ahead of me! 

These colours were trooped for the last time at Woking football ground on July 12^th 1963.
They were the Queen’s and Regimental Colours of the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Battalions. The Queen’s Royal Regiment (TA), the 6^th Battalion The East Surrey Regiment (TA) and the 23^rd London Regiment (TA).

The 31st Foot at the battle of Albuera.

“The French cavalry immediately attacked them, but the little battalion, which only

numbered 418 of all ranks, was ably handled by Major L’Estrange, whose men displayed the finest qualities of coolness and discipline. L’Estrange, quick as thought formed square by an original manoeuvre of his own devising and had no difficulty in withstand’ing the attack of the French Lancers and Dragoons; and then having cleared his front, moved up to the summit of the hill, where he bore for a considerable time the entire brunt of the French infantry attack.”

The 57th Regiment received the nickname “the Diehards” during the battle of Albuera after their badly wounded Colonel, Inglis, shouted “die hard men, die hard” as they struggled through waves of French cavalry and infantry.

“The Battle of Albuera” by Wiliam Barnes Wollen.  A sudden rainstorm rendered the British muskets useless. The French and allied Polish cavalry swooped, decimating numerous battalions. Here the 3rd Regiment (the Buffs) defend their colours to the last. 

The battle of Albuera was fought on this day in 1811 - one of the costliest Anglo-Spanish-Portuguese victories of the Napoleonic Peninsula War. 

gunsandposes:

Soldiers of the Black Watch armed with musket, halberd and plaid, circa 1790.

(Wikipedia)

(via dobharcu)

thewolfandowl:

CAT.

ARMOUR.

CAT ARMOUR.

(via dobharcu)