The Morning Drumroll

With the early sun, drummer Attmost B. Loudermont of the 24th practices his long roll amid the palm trees while his mates rest in the barracks. Hopefully out of range of hearing him.

Attmost is a metal piece I painted this year while the palm trees are a game terrain piece I made yesterday.

Ammo is Now Your Number One Priority

In the midst of a vicious battle with the Zulu's, Leftenant Ambrose Amber-Smyth has only two words for Acting Assistant Commissary Adam B. Goodenraddy - "More Ammunition!"

Amber-Smyth realizes that the only way to stop the brave and mad rush of a Zulu charge is the stopping power of the .577/.450 Boxer round from his men's Martini-Henry Rifles, and lots of them. Which means his men need an uninterrupted supply of these deadly rifle rounds. 

So, they separate, Amber-Smyth to support his men and Goodenraddy to organize a steady supply of ammunition to the fighting line.

Amber-Smyth and Goodenraddy are metal pieces from Pul Figures that I painted in September.

Last Stand of the 24th

News From the Front, fresh from the disaster at Isandlwana comes this recovered photo of two unidentified officers of the 24th regiment that lost most of a battalion of Imperial troops. The two brave men are standing back-to-back in a final stand against the deadly Zulu warriors. Of special note is the fact that one of the officers has resorted to the use of Zulu Knobkerrie to defend himself, a sure sign of the desperate straight the two soldiers found themselves in.

The undeveloped plate of this photograph was found still in the camera sometime after the war was ended by the victorious British Army. By that time neither the identities of the officers nor that of the unknown photographer could be established. They will be remembered as our honored dead, known but to God.

I painted these two metal pieces in September.

Stand To!

Straight from the field of battle in North Africa our fearless reporter, I. B. Bladamadur, caught this action photograph the moment Lieutenant Clarence Goodwater orders his trumpeter Willaby Loudman to give the "Stand To!" call.  Minutes later a company of her Imperial Majesties redcoats used well timed volleys to beat back a horde of native spearmen.

 

Goodwater and Loudman are metal pieces that I painted in September.

It Takes Years to Become This Important-and Being a Noble Helps

News from the Front-General Harald Hampton Hallond-Hamptoonlan, Viscount Hamptoonlanshire has overseen yet another victorious campaign against the Pathan Russian Puppets of the Northwest Frontier.

It has taken a lifetime of service to her Imperial Majesty has earned the General his command and high standings. Consistent victory and his status as a Viscount also helped. 

His gout cannot spoil his victorious day. Now it is time for a good dinner, some quality Port and some rest before heading back to the capital.

General Harald Hampton Hallond-Hamptoonlan is a metal piece I painted in August.

Officers Three

 Experienced officers like Major Hyram B. Preppared, Lt. Colonel Sly D. Burrns and Colonel Sir Patrick, "Attacking Mac," MacCallaster-Smyth know that leading from the front is the only way for true gentlemen to behave when facing the enemies of her Imperial Majesty. "The British Empire was not created by desktop soldiers you know. Showing the "Blighters" who the best soldiers are is the best way to show them how foolish resistance is."

 These three British Officers are all metal from Pulp Figures. I painted them in July.

Enemy on the Run-Time to Counterattack

With years of combat experiences behind him, Colonel Sir Patrick MacCallaster-Smyth, has developed a "Sixth Sense" on when the enemy is at the breaking point. To his men, who know his methods and skills, the Colonel is affectionately known as "Attacking Mac."

In today's battle on the Northwest Fontier, "Attacking Mac" knows that now is the time to counterattack and crush the Pathans.

A quick order to his aide-de-camp sets the British troops onto the offensive.

Now is time to watch the action and then to ready for the next stage of the campaign to teach the Pathans to avoid incurring the wrath of the Empire in the future.

The Colonel is a metal piece I painted in July.

On My Command, FIRE!

When facing hordes of natives armed with deadly sharped pointed weapons, Major Hyram B. Preppared knows the best defense is a continuous series of well-timed rifle volleys.

Especially when the volleys are driven home by the man stopping .577/450 Boxer round from her Majesties Martin-Henry armed troops.

It's the major duty to control his troops volleys so they are present a wall of fire that can stop even the most determined "native" charge.

Major Hyram B. Preppared is a metal piece I painted in July.

News from the Front: Hero of Baksababan, Major Biff, Sir Loin d'  Beouf  DSO, IMO, CSI of the 51st & 1/2 Foreststangers awaits the award of his latest award for bravery, the Order of St. James Officer (OSJO). The brave major is credited with singlehandedly holding the sally port of Castle Bagh until the last of his men were able to safely retire from a raid against the Afraidis. With officers of his merit, the British Empire is in safe hands.

Sir Loin d'  Beouf  DSO, IMO, CSI is a medal piece I painted in July.

 

Lieutenant's Gonville Bromhead V.C., 24th Foot and J. R. M. Chard V.C., Royal Engineers of Zulu War Fame.

If you do not know their story read "the Washing of the Spears" by Dolanld R. Morris for a truer history of the events that won them their Victoria Crosses.

Then watch the movie "Zulu" for a Hollywood style adventure yarn based on the true events.

These are metal casting I painted in July.

Nothing like a Good Smoke after a Victory

Colonel Sir Edward B. Coldmaster IV enjoys nothing so much after giving the Pathans a complete thrashing as a good victory cigar. The colonel enjoying a victory a cigar is virtually the only time his troops see "Col-Cold" smile!

His trusty steed, "Coldmaster," has come to recognize the distinct cigar aroma as a time when her master is in good spirits and tasty carrots will soon be her reward for racing from one frantic fight to another.

For Colonel Sir Edward B. Coldmaster IV is an officer who believes in directing combat from the front lines.

No hanging back with a group of lackies and message runner for him. His staff rides into danger with their commander or they risk demotion to command of the latrine detail.

Colonel Sir Edward B. Coldmaster IV is a metal piece while "Coldheart" is plastic. I painted them in July.

Frontier Service is Hard, on the Body

News from the North-West Frontier: Our intrepid reporter, Cyrus P. Snaapshott,  has sent this photo of Lt. Colonel. Sly D. Burrns of the 1st Kashmir Svayansevaka Reiphalaharu (Volunteer Rifles) leading his men into the mountains after bandits who have been raiding the peace-loving subjects of her Imperial Majesty. Lt. Col. Burrns has spent the greater part of his 30 odd years in Imperial military service on the Northern Provence's of the Raj.

Premature gray hair, hunched back, badly healed bones and a bowlegged stanch are the price Burrns has pained in his Queen- Emperess' service.

But to his mind he has done a needed service to strengthen the "Greatest Empire in the History of the World! "Ga'd save the Queen Emperess!"

Lt. Col. Burrns is a metal piece I painted this month.

News from the North-West Frontier. Maj. Fredrick "Big-Red" MacGreggoor observes his beloved "Fore and Afts" mop up after another successful engagement with the Afghani's. To the uninitiated the Fore and Aft's also go by the name "Gloster's" (28th Gloucestershire Regt.) and are one of the Imperial protectors of the Raj! "God Save the Queen-Empress!"

"Big-Red" MacGreggoor is as brave as his name and never asks one of his men or officers to face danger unless he is in the lead. Neither does he broke lax training, as he works his men to a fine fight edge. In his words "Well trrainned, well feeddd  and fitt soljjiers have the best chance to suurvvee."

He has several scars from both blades and bullets to show for his fearless leadership. And has been known to risk death to rescue even the lowest ranked wounder or cut off soldier.

His men will never tell him to his face but their nickname for their beloved major is "Poppa Red" the office who cares for his men as if they were his own family.

Maj. Fredrick "Big-Red" MacGreggoor is a metal piece from the excellent Canadian Pulp Figures manufacturer.