Steve Brown 🇦🇺 📖🖊️
@stevebrownauthor.bsky.social
Author of eight books on British Army topics for the period 1793 to 1815.
Family historian. Sometime muso. Builder of small WW2 planes.
Touchstones: Zappa. XTC. Richard Thompson. King Crimson.
Morale commensurate with the fortunes of the Baggy Greens.
Family historian. Sometime muso. Builder of small WW2 planes.
Touchstones: Zappa. XTC. Richard Thompson. King Crimson.
Morale commensurate with the fortunes of the Baggy Greens.
A bit of a landmark day for me - attending the performance of my first play, Hear No Evil, a finalist in the Geelong Short Play Festival.
November 8, 2025 at 6:16 AM
A bit of a landmark day for me - attending the performance of my first play, Hear No Evil, a finalist in the Geelong Short Play Festival.
Unboxing!!!
Thanks to From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815 for sending my author's copies of Volume 4 half way around the world, as work on Volume 5 (the final volume) continues apace.
You can order your copy of Vol 4 at www.helion.co.uk/military-his...
#napoleonic #history #britisharmy #helion
Thanks to From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815 for sending my author's copies of Volume 4 half way around the world, as work on Volume 5 (the final volume) continues apace.
You can order your copy of Vol 4 at www.helion.co.uk/military-his...
#napoleonic #history #britisharmy #helion
September 12, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Unboxing!!!
Thanks to From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815 for sending my author's copies of Volume 4 half way around the world, as work on Volume 5 (the final volume) continues apace.
You can order your copy of Vol 4 at www.helion.co.uk/military-his...
#napoleonic #history #britisharmy #helion
Thanks to From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815 for sending my author's copies of Volume 4 half way around the world, as work on Volume 5 (the final volume) continues apace.
You can order your copy of Vol 4 at www.helion.co.uk/military-his...
#napoleonic #history #britisharmy #helion
I'd like to extend thanks to Geelong Regional Libraries and Queenscliff Library for facilitating my talk on Writing Military History as part of the LocalWord25 festival last Friday morning.
Such a nice venue! Such a good turnout!
And such a long and interesting Q&A!
#militaryhistory #Napoleonic
Such a nice venue! Such a good turnout!
And such a long and interesting Q&A!
#militaryhistory #Napoleonic
August 24, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I'd like to extend thanks to Geelong Regional Libraries and Queenscliff Library for facilitating my talk on Writing Military History as part of the LocalWord25 festival last Friday morning.
Such a nice venue! Such a good turnout!
And such a long and interesting Q&A!
#militaryhistory #Napoleonic
Such a nice venue! Such a good turnout!
And such a long and interesting Q&A!
#militaryhistory #Napoleonic
I'm just starting to prepare for my presentation on Writing Military History at Local Word 2025 - it's now only a couple of weeks away.
Booking link: events.grlc.vic.gov.au/event/13943709
#localword25
Plus... some latest stuff I did for Redcoat History:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=br6c...
Booking link: events.grlc.vic.gov.au/event/13943709
#localword25
Plus... some latest stuff I did for Redcoat History:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=br6c...
July 25, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I'm just starting to prepare for my presentation on Writing Military History at Local Word 2025 - it's now only a couple of weeks away.
Booking link: events.grlc.vic.gov.au/event/13943709
#localword25
Plus... some latest stuff I did for Redcoat History:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=br6c...
Booking link: events.grlc.vic.gov.au/event/13943709
#localword25
Plus... some latest stuff I did for Redcoat History:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=br6c...
It was great to catch up with Christian Parkinson last night to finally record Part 2 of my British Regiments series - due out on Redcoat History in a few weeks. Keep an eye out on YouTube.
May 19, 2025 at 10:24 PM
It was great to catch up with Christian Parkinson last night to finally record Part 2 of my British Regiments series - due out on Redcoat History in a few weeks. Keep an eye out on YouTube.
Getting a July 1914 kinda vibe from seeing this week’s gatherings…
May 11, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Getting a July 1914 kinda vibe from seeing this week’s gatherings…
Some recent book purchases, three-quarters of which are appropriate on this #AnzacDay2025.
I visited Pozieres and Fromelles in 2016, the centenary of the actions, as well as Ypres, Mons, Bullecourt and Dixmuide.
The Menin Gate evening service was truly memorable.
I visited Pozieres and Fromelles in 2016, the centenary of the actions, as well as Ypres, Mons, Bullecourt and Dixmuide.
The Menin Gate evening service was truly memorable.
April 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Some recent book purchases, three-quarters of which are appropriate on this #AnzacDay2025.
I visited Pozieres and Fromelles in 2016, the centenary of the actions, as well as Ypres, Mons, Bullecourt and Dixmuide.
The Menin Gate evening service was truly memorable.
I visited Pozieres and Fromelles in 2016, the centenary of the actions, as well as Ypres, Mons, Bullecourt and Dixmuide.
The Menin Gate evening service was truly memorable.
Good Friday? Hot cross buns!
April 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Good Friday? Hot cross buns!
Prepping for another podcast with the excellent Chris Parkinson at Redcoat History - recording next Tuesday. Should be a good one - Part 2 of British Army ranks and structures during the Napoleonic Wars.
April 17, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Prepping for another podcast with the excellent Chris Parkinson at Redcoat History - recording next Tuesday. Should be a good one - Part 2 of British Army ranks and structures during the Napoleonic Wars.
My wife is in hospital for some chemo. This is her dinner menu. It runs to eight pages.
I’m thinking I should pretend to be ill so I can eat here.
I’m thinking I should pretend to be ill so I can eat here.
April 8, 2025 at 8:48 AM
My wife is in hospital for some chemo. This is her dinner menu. It runs to eight pages.
I’m thinking I should pretend to be ill so I can eat here.
I’m thinking I should pretend to be ill so I can eat here.
Australian battalion losses in the attack at Fromelles, evening of 19/20 July 1916, from starting strengths of around 950.
Fromelles was these unit’s first action under fire. Welcome to WW1.
Fromelles was these unit’s first action under fire. Welcome to WW1.
April 6, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Australian battalion losses in the attack at Fromelles, evening of 19/20 July 1916, from starting strengths of around 950.
Fromelles was these unit’s first action under fire. Welcome to WW1.
Fromelles was these unit’s first action under fire. Welcome to WW1.
I’m normally a non-fiction / military history kinda guy, but occasionally, I like to practice my historical fiction chops.
The freedom to create actions and dialogue I find quite exhilarating.
So is setting in the action in places you know well.
Coming to a bookshop near you. One day. Maybe.
The freedom to create actions and dialogue I find quite exhilarating.
So is setting in the action in places you know well.
Coming to a bookshop near you. One day. Maybe.
March 20, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I’m normally a non-fiction / military history kinda guy, but occasionally, I like to practice my historical fiction chops.
The freedom to create actions and dialogue I find quite exhilarating.
So is setting in the action in places you know well.
Coming to a bookshop near you. One day. Maybe.
The freedom to create actions and dialogue I find quite exhilarating.
So is setting in the action in places you know well.
Coming to a bookshop near you. One day. Maybe.
Latest acquisitions. Normally an army guy, but it’s important to know what the senior service were up to.
March 9, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Latest acquisitions. Normally an army guy, but it’s important to know what the senior service were up to.
I travel 3000km to the other side of the country, and gadzooks, whilst out browsing, come across something a bit familiar.
February 27, 2025 at 5:23 AM
I travel 3000km to the other side of the country, and gadzooks, whilst out browsing, come across something a bit familiar.
Secondhand bookshop find this morning. The owner has promised to keep an eye out for the missing instalments.
#patrickobrianfans
#aubreyandmaturin
#patrickobrianfans
#aubreyandmaturin
February 25, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Secondhand bookshop find this morning. The owner has promised to keep an eye out for the missing instalments.
#patrickobrianfans
#aubreyandmaturin
#patrickobrianfans
#aubreyandmaturin
Latest acquisition.
February 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Latest acquisition.
So the real victor of Waterloo was Rothschild, after all…
February 13, 2025 at 8:21 PM
So the real victor of Waterloo was Rothschild, after all…
Last night: An insane amount of rain.
This morning: Our neighbour, with his head over the fence, saying “erm… have you seen our umbrella, by any chance?”
Me: “Now that you mention it….”
This morning: Our neighbour, with his head over the fence, saying “erm… have you seen our umbrella, by any chance?”
Me: “Now that you mention it….”
February 3, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Last night: An insane amount of rain.
This morning: Our neighbour, with his head over the fence, saying “erm… have you seen our umbrella, by any chance?”
Me: “Now that you mention it….”
This morning: Our neighbour, with his head over the fence, saying “erm… have you seen our umbrella, by any chance?”
Me: “Now that you mention it….”
The other week I posted about British army officers who were commissioned literally from the cradle. Well, here is a list of officers under Wellington who served well into their geriatric years!
BTW: Field Marshal was an appointment, not an automatic promotion.
#NapoleonicHistory #britisharmy
BTW: Field Marshal was an appointment, not an automatic promotion.
#NapoleonicHistory #britisharmy
January 19, 2025 at 6:33 AM
The other week I posted about British army officers who were commissioned literally from the cradle. Well, here is a list of officers under Wellington who served well into their geriatric years!
BTW: Field Marshal was an appointment, not an automatic promotion.
#NapoleonicHistory #britisharmy
BTW: Field Marshal was an appointment, not an automatic promotion.
#NapoleonicHistory #britisharmy
Doing some final edits for my Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras podcast on 21 January.
Tech rehearsal tonight!
Tech rehearsal tonight!
January 11, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Doing some final edits for my Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras podcast on 21 January.
Tech rehearsal tonight!
Tech rehearsal tonight!
I get the impression that my last roundup of 18th century British army officer names gave folks inspiration for character names. So here are some more.
Most still sound like brands of real ale / west country villages / secondary characters in Harry Potter.
#NapoleonicHistory #writing #britisharmy
Most still sound like brands of real ale / west country villages / secondary characters in Harry Potter.
#NapoleonicHistory #writing #britisharmy
January 9, 2025 at 6:56 AM
I get the impression that my last roundup of 18th century British army officer names gave folks inspiration for character names. So here are some more.
Most still sound like brands of real ale / west country villages / secondary characters in Harry Potter.
#NapoleonicHistory #writing #britisharmy
Most still sound like brands of real ale / west country villages / secondary characters in Harry Potter.
#NapoleonicHistory #writing #britisharmy
Every Wednesday, at about this time:
Mrs B: It’s bin night.
Me: I don’t care what it’s bin. I want to know what it is now!
Mrs B: It’s bin night.
Me: I don’t care what it’s bin. I want to know what it is now!
January 8, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Every Wednesday, at about this time:
Mrs B: It’s bin night.
Me: I don’t care what it’s bin. I want to know what it is now!
Mrs B: It’s bin night.
Me: I don’t care what it’s bin. I want to know what it is now!
The purchase system for officer commissions in the British army might seem unfair to us now; but it did allow a general upward mobility in the Army. But the RA used strict seniority - hence poor old Edward Whitmore, a brevet LtCol at age 68, and still doing duty aged nearly 80 .
#NapoleonicHistory
#NapoleonicHistory
January 7, 2025 at 5:07 AM
The purchase system for officer commissions in the British army might seem unfair to us now; but it did allow a general upward mobility in the Army. But the RA used strict seniority - hence poor old Edward Whitmore, a brevet LtCol at age 68, and still doing duty aged nearly 80 .
#NapoleonicHistory
#NapoleonicHistory
I recently watched Who Do You Think You Are where the guest expressed surprise that an ancestor was in the RN at the age of 10 - something that was quite common. Before the Duke of York's reforms on officer ages in 1795, officers could be commissioned far younger...
#NapoleonicHistory #britisharmy
#NapoleonicHistory #britisharmy
January 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM
I recently watched Who Do You Think You Are where the guest expressed surprise that an ancestor was in the RN at the age of 10 - something that was quite common. Before the Duke of York's reforms on officer ages in 1795, officers could be commissioned far younger...
#NapoleonicHistory #britisharmy
#NapoleonicHistory #britisharmy
Second Addendum: Despite being spelt 'Rotten' on many Army Lists, the officer concerned was actually and correctly spelt John Rotton.
Here is his gravestone in Bath.
www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Ro...
Here is his gravestone in Bath.
www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Ro...
January 3, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Second Addendum: Despite being spelt 'Rotten' on many Army Lists, the officer concerned was actually and correctly spelt John Rotton.
Here is his gravestone in Bath.
www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Ro...
Here is his gravestone in Bath.
www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Ro...