Nick Britten
@nickbritten.bsky.social
Avid reader Golf bore and lover of History. Avid Spurs fan. #COYS
God, I love a new book parcel! The Fantasy genre is in serious good health at the moment. Also, the books themselves look brilliant!
September 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
God, I love a new book parcel! The Fantasy genre is in serious good health at the moment. Also, the books themselves look brilliant!
Last full day in Mallorca. It's been a lovely break before the long winter months set in!
September 18, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Last full day in Mallorca. It's been a lovely break before the long winter months set in!
I was given a load of books from a house clearance tonight. It was a little sad going through this guys book collection, which he had lovingly collected over years, knowing that if I hadn't taken them, they were just being dumped. I wonder what will happen to mine when I'm gone?
September 3, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I was given a load of books from a house clearance tonight. It was a little sad going through this guys book collection, which he had lovingly collected over years, knowing that if I hadn't taken them, they were just being dumped. I wonder what will happen to mine when I'm gone?
Officers of "D" battery R.H.A.
The battery in its original form was formed in 1793 and served with distinction throughout the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816 it was disbanded and reformed as "F" battery in the 1840's.
The Navy and Army illustrated 10th July 1896.
The battery in its original form was formed in 1793 and served with distinction throughout the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816 it was disbanded and reformed as "F" battery in the 1840's.
The Navy and Army illustrated 10th July 1896.
August 31, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Officers of "D" battery R.H.A.
The battery in its original form was formed in 1793 and served with distinction throughout the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816 it was disbanded and reformed as "F" battery in the 1840's.
The Navy and Army illustrated 10th July 1896.
The battery in its original form was formed in 1793 and served with distinction throughout the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816 it was disbanded and reformed as "F" battery in the 1840's.
The Navy and Army illustrated 10th July 1896.
Bank holiday beer in the sun down at Minnis bay!
August 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Bank holiday beer in the sun down at Minnis bay!
On this day 25th August 1537 The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, is formed.
The colours and Escort of the Honourable Artillery Company 1900.
The colours and Escort of the Honourable Artillery Company 1900.
August 25, 2025 at 12:28 PM
On this day 25th August 1537 The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, is formed.
The colours and Escort of the Honourable Artillery Company 1900.
The colours and Escort of the Honourable Artillery Company 1900.
On this day 25th August 1537 The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, is formed.
The colours and Escort of the Honourable Artillery Company 1900.
The colours and Escort of the Honourable Artillery Company 1900.
August 25, 2025 at 11:58 AM
On this day 25th August 1537 The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, is formed.
The colours and Escort of the Honourable Artillery Company 1900.
The colours and Escort of the Honourable Artillery Company 1900.
24th August 1914. First units of Indian Expeditionary Force “A” leave India for France under the command of General Sir James Willcocks.
They would arrive in France on the 30th September and were immediately moved into the Ypres Salient.
They would arrive in France on the 30th September and were immediately moved into the Ypres Salient.
August 24, 2025 at 11:30 AM
24th August 1914. First units of Indian Expeditionary Force “A” leave India for France under the command of General Sir James Willcocks.
They would arrive in France on the 30th September and were immediately moved into the Ypres Salient.
They would arrive in France on the 30th September and were immediately moved into the Ypres Salient.
April 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
New book and a new author to start. I've been looking forward to this one.
April 20, 2025 at 2:38 PM
New book and a new author to start. I've been looking forward to this one.
Thomas Edwards VC (19 April 1863 – 27 March 1953) was a British soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. Serving in the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders),
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April 19, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Thomas Edwards VC (19 April 1863 – 27 March 1953) was a British soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. Serving in the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders),
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Hodson was killed in March 1858 during the Siege of Lucknow. His supporters viewed him as a heroic officer, while critics saw him as reckless and brutal. His legacy remains debated, shaped by both his military successes and the ethical questions surrounding his actions.
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March 23, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Hodson was killed in March 1858 during the Siege of Lucknow. His supporters viewed him as a heroic officer, while critics saw him as reckless and brutal. His legacy remains debated, shaped by both his military successes and the ethical questions surrounding his actions.
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William Stephen Raikes Hodson (1821–1858) was a British soldier and intelligence officer in India, known for his role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. His life was marked by military brilliance, controversy, and a close association with Henry Lawrence, a key British administrator in India.
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March 23, 2025 at 10:31 AM
William Stephen Raikes Hodson (1821–1858) was a British soldier and intelligence officer in India, known for his role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. His life was marked by military brilliance, controversy, and a close association with Henry Lawrence, a key British administrator in India.
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New book Saturday. My reward for being dragged around Bluewater.
March 22, 2025 at 6:24 PM
New book Saturday. My reward for being dragged around Bluewater.
A much better book though!
March 20, 2025 at 7:21 AM
A much better book though!
OTD 7/3/1810 Vice Admiral Collingwood died aboard the Ville de Paris while sailing for England. He was 2nd in command at Trafalgar and was appointed cinc of the Mediterranean Fleet after the death of Nelson.
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March 7, 2025 at 7:33 AM
OTD 7/3/1810 Vice Admiral Collingwood died aboard the Ville de Paris while sailing for England. He was 2nd in command at Trafalgar and was appointed cinc of the Mediterranean Fleet after the death of Nelson.
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This amazing picture is of the Royal Naval Depot ships the old wooden Line of Battleships 'Marlborough' & 'Duke of Wellington' Portsmouth as the crews move to new barracks 1903.
March 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
This amazing picture is of the Royal Naval Depot ships the old wooden Line of Battleships 'Marlborough' & 'Duke of Wellington' Portsmouth as the crews move to new barracks 1903.
The three columns were to invade Zululand, from the Lower Tugela, Rorke's Drift, and Utrecht, respectively, their objective being Ulundi, the royal capital
King Cetshwayo had tried everything to avoid war, but he now unleashed his impi ya masosha on the invaders.
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King Cetshwayo had tried everything to avoid war, but he now unleashed his impi ya masosha on the invaders.
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January 11, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The three columns were to invade Zululand, from the Lower Tugela, Rorke's Drift, and Utrecht, respectively, their objective being Ulundi, the royal capital
King Cetshwayo had tried everything to avoid war, but he now unleashed his impi ya masosha on the invaders.
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King Cetshwayo had tried everything to avoid war, but he now unleashed his impi ya masosha on the invaders.
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On this day, 11th January 1879, the Anglo-Zulu War began after the British ultimatum of 11th December expires, and three British columns crossed the border between Natal Colony and Zululand. The central column crosses the Buffalo River at the traders station Rorke's Drift
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January 11, 2025 at 11:47 AM
On this day, 11th January 1879, the Anglo-Zulu War began after the British ultimatum of 11th December expires, and three British columns crossed the border between Natal Colony and Zululand. The central column crosses the Buffalo River at the traders station Rorke's Drift
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close quarter stabbing weapons
It was a dependence that made the Zulu army acutely vulnerable to the fire-power of a concentrated enemy.
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It was a dependence that made the Zulu army acutely vulnerable to the fire-power of a concentrated enemy.
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January 10, 2025 at 10:35 AM
close quarter stabbing weapons
It was a dependence that made the Zulu army acutely vulnerable to the fire-power of a concentrated enemy.
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It was a dependence that made the Zulu army acutely vulnerable to the fire-power of a concentrated enemy.
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they who went on to attack Rorke’s Drift.
Since there was no organised supply system – an army on the march lived off the land – the Zulus were committed to a concept of short campaigns with decisive battles, which had prevailed since Shaka’s time.
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Since there was no organised supply system – an army on the march lived off the land – the Zulus were committed to a concept of short campaigns with decisive battles, which had prevailed since Shaka’s time.
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January 10, 2025 at 10:35 AM
they who went on to attack Rorke’s Drift.
Since there was no organised supply system – an army on the march lived off the land – the Zulus were committed to a concept of short campaigns with decisive battles, which had prevailed since Shaka’s time.
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Since there was no organised supply system – an army on the march lived off the land – the Zulus were committed to a concept of short campaigns with decisive battles, which had prevailed since Shaka’s time.
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The Zulu army preparing to face the British Invasion was a vastly different entity than the professional and modern force it was coming up against.
It was a part time Citizen militia in which the men of the Kingdom came together in service of their King. The main fighting
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It was a part time Citizen militia in which the men of the Kingdom came together in service of their King. The main fighting
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January 10, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The Zulu army preparing to face the British Invasion was a vastly different entity than the professional and modern force it was coming up against.
It was a part time Citizen militia in which the men of the Kingdom came together in service of their King. The main fighting
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It was a part time Citizen militia in which the men of the Kingdom came together in service of their King. The main fighting
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He married twice, Mary Elizabeth Ranger in 1872, and then some years after her death in 1906, he remarried a Mary Stroud.
George William Mabin died, aged 90, at the Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town 23rd October 1938.
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George William Mabin died, aged 90, at the Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town 23rd October 1938.
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January 9, 2025 at 6:58 PM
He married twice, Mary Elizabeth Ranger in 1872, and then some years after her death in 1906, he remarried a Mary Stroud.
George William Mabin died, aged 90, at the Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town 23rd October 1938.
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George William Mabin died, aged 90, at the Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town 23rd October 1938.
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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Next up is Colour Sgt George Mabin.
George William Mabin was born in the parish of St. Augustine's, Bristol in October 1848
He enlisted in Bristol with the 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade on the 1st June 1868. Promoted to the rank of
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Next up is Colour Sgt George Mabin.
George William Mabin was born in the parish of St. Augustine's, Bristol in October 1848
He enlisted in Bristol with the 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade on the 1st June 1868. Promoted to the rank of
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January 9, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Next up is Colour Sgt George Mabin.
George William Mabin was born in the parish of St. Augustine's, Bristol in October 1848
He enlisted in Bristol with the 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade on the 1st June 1868. Promoted to the rank of
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Next up is Colour Sgt George Mabin.
George William Mabin was born in the parish of St. Augustine's, Bristol in October 1848
He enlisted in Bristol with the 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade on the 1st June 1868. Promoted to the rank of
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Born on this day 21st December 1847 Lieutenant John Rouse Merriot Chard VC Royal Engineers, Officer commanding Rorke’s Drift 22nd-23rd January 1879.
December 21, 2024 at 7:43 AM
Born on this day 21st December 1847 Lieutenant John Rouse Merriot Chard VC Royal Engineers, Officer commanding Rorke’s Drift 22nd-23rd January 1879.