The Story of the Last Redcoats (w/ Ian Knight)

The British army of the Victorian era - what is the reality? Was it an outdated institution or a progressive forward thinking one brimming with fresh ideas?

In today’s video I’m speaking to the one and only Ian Knight - author of dozens of books about the British army of the era.

He’s going to explain why the army was slow to reform and what the eventual catalysts were,

How it was forced to adapt in the face of Britain’s growing empire and how we saw the gradual phasing out of those iconic redcoats during the course of the era.

[redcoathistory]

A fascinating time for the develpment of the British army. What did you find interesting and what would you like to see me make more films about?

[alessiodecarolis]

Khaki is earth in Persian, and from what I read, some soldiers in India tried to make their red jackets less conspiquous by boiling them in cauldrons full of hot tea. Don't know if this is a legend or really happened, but effectively fighting with european uniforms in hot climates should've been hellish (just ask to the french in Egypt!). Surely colonial wars were pivotal for changing either mentality AND training/tacticts in British army.

[doonhamer]

My Àunt has a collage with 2 photos of my great grandfather in Black Watch . One was taken in either Sudan or Egypt just after Khartoum, the other was in South Africa late 1890s.. Obvious he's wearing red serge despite not being a colour photo.

[stevensass]

Ian Knight is absolutely brilliant. Witty, urbane and still quite the handsome fellow! Nice one Chris, thanks for this!!

[mladenmatosevic]

In defence of Duke of Wellington, there were no large "Near Peer" wars after Napoleon in his lifetime. Crimean war and wars of Italian and German unification came later. As for technology, huge advance was between Minnie Ball and Krupp Breach Loader, with metal shell bullets, repeating rifles and machine guns in between.

[liamfoley]

There's several storys about how the red was abandoned and the kaki was adopted. The 'Dirty Shirts' for example date from the Indian Mutiny. Men cast off the tunic and dyed their shirts.

[AlanSmart-ge]

A most interesting fellow. My one complaint is I could have listened to more of his insight. Thank you

[olafweerts]

Thanks for that - fascinating stuff! Look forward to learning more.

[keithagn]

Super interesting video! Thank you! Regards from Canada 🇨🇦

[FranciscoPreira]

Great content again and as usual thanks for sharing Chris.

[ryanciantar]

I have a cool story. One of my ancestors on my mothers side was a British redcoat who was captured by the Americans. He then turncoated and joined the Americans against the British, and lived his remaining life as an American.

[zetectic]

Interesting as this was perhaps the most visible sign of change but it didn't happen in isolation.
I think a good follow up to this would be how the equipment the common soldiers carried/used would add to the change.
I have only just found out about a war with the aborigines of Tasmania.

[dennispepperack]

Bill Cosby - whatever one thinks of what he became - nailed it in "The Coin Toss", last line re redcoats:
“General Cornwallis of the British, this is General Washington of the Continental Army.”
“General Washington of the Continental Army, this is General Cornwallis of the British.”
“If you’d shake hands, gentlemen.”
“O.K., British call the toss.”
“British called heads, it is tails.”
“General Washington, what are you gonna do?”
“General Washington says his troops will dress however they wish, in any color, in buckskins and coonskin caps, and hide behind the rocks and trees and shoot out at random.”
“British, you will all wear bright red, all shoot at the same time, and march forward in a straight line.”

[janlindtner]

A transformation from rural to urban population as a result of industrialization and those who cannot find work in the cities is probably what the army can scrape from the "leftovers"👍👍👍Chris

[victornewman]

The Guides regiment in India wore grey or khaki, their job was to scout and not be seen. This was adopted in the Boer war.

[mickharrison]

The best and biggest army and empire world has ever seen 🇬🇧

[julianmhall]

Great video Christian! I noticed none of the comments mention the American War of Independence. Isn't there a case there for saying that - although change took decades - commanders in the field noted that Americans wore clothing in colour closer to their surroundings so were harder to see than British troops wearing bright red /contrasting/ with their surroundings?

This quote from Sir Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment seems apt:

“But I see you're not standing in a bleedin' shadow, Perks, nor have you done anything to change your bleedin' shape, you're silhouetted against the bleedin' light and your sabre's shining like a diamond in a chimney-sweep's bleedin' ear'ole! Explain!"
"It's because of the one C, sarge!" said Polly, still staring straight ahead.
"And that is?"
"Colour, sarge! I'm wearing bleedin' red and white in a bleedin' grey forest, sarge!”
― Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment

Re drinking water not alcohol. IIRC a lot of people in civilian life drank beer as it was safer than the water. Then being in the habit of drinking alcohol they carried the habit through to the army. Later on there was a better understanding of bacteria being spread in water supplies, and cleaner water was made available; /then/ the habit of drinking alcohol decreased over time.

[williamashbless]

How about weapons of the period? The practical ranges of say smooth bore muskets to a rifle? 
A breakdown of artillery? From that era I can name the 12 lb. Napoleon and nothing else.

[matthewmckever]

Drunk for a penny,
Dead drunk for two.

[mariadacre]

I always give a thumbs up to this brilliant channel.