A full list of the AQM Toy Soldier range.
Updated:
April 2007
ECW
‘BY THE SWORD DIVIDED’
ENGLISH
CIVIL WAR 75mm series painted to our museum standard of production.
‘By
the Sword Divided’set in the
turbulent period of 1642 until the Restoration in 1660, England was in Civil
War,Parliament against
the King, Charles 1st. Former friends fought on opposite sides.Even families
were divided - the Laceys and the Fletchters were such.
One
sister married to a Lawyer who supported Parliament ,the other sister and their
brother fiercely loyal to the King.
ECW1
SIR THOMAS LACEY (CAVALIER) ‘At
your service Milady’.
ECW2
LADY LUCINDA FERRARS (ROYALIST)
ECW3
MISTRESS ANNE FLETCHER (Wife of Parliamentarian
Lawyer)
ECW4
SIR THOMAS LACEY ‘For God
and King Charles’.
ECW5A
PIKE MAN ‘For the King’.
ECW5B
PIKE MAN ‘For Parliament’.
ECW6
LADY LUCINDA FERRARS & SIR THOMAS LACEY ‘The Homecoming 1658’.
ECW7A
MUSKETEER ‘For the King’.
ECW7B
MUSKETEER ‘For Parliament’.
FORTHCOMING
RELEASES:-
ECW8
SIR THOMAS LACEY (with drawn sword) and SIR RALPH De WINTER (sword in hand and
goblet raised) ‘The
Betrayel’
ECW9
SIR THOMAS LACEY in combat with Parliamentarian General Horten, ‘Opposite
Sides’.
A
New Series of single figure
& small vignettes of Napoleonic, American Civil War and others to the same
high standard of finish as our larger vignette
series. The size of figures are as ‘The Gordons & the Greys’,‘The
Ragged Square’ etc.The detail is outstanding, with seperate horses reins,
sword slings etc.with maximum animation each on its own scenic base, painted and
shaded in gloss to museum standard. Authenticity is the key word in every sense.
AGINCOURT
VA1
‘ FOR
HARRY
,
ENGLAND
AND ST. GEORGE ’
The
Battle of Agincourt is probably one of the greatest victories in the history of
English warfare. It was a triumph of valour and cunning, spurred on by the zeal
and oratory of dashing King
Henry V. It could also be said it was a time when the flower of French chivalry
was brought to heel largely by the skill of the English longbow men.
On
a wet and miserable Friday morning the ceaseless rain had turned the ploughed
field before the English into a swampland. The French 50,000 strong were less
than a mile away and in good spirits, confident of an early victory over the
half starved, weary with sickness, less than 10,000 English. But the French were
funnelled into having to fight in a width of 900 yards by the copses either
side.
Harry
ordered his men at arms and bowmen to fashion hundreds of sharpened stakes from
the beech woods around and to secure them into the ground at an angle of 45
degrees in front of them. Behind these waited the longbow men, with the bows a
foot taller than the average man they could hit a target with speed and accuracy
at three times the range of the French crossbow.A good bowman could fire twelve
arrows a minute.
The
French trumpets sound..... the French Knights and cavalry advance soon to be
bogged
down
in the soft mud. The English bowmen are ordered to fire their arrows into the
air...........
PART
1......... King Harry mounted on his grey charger waves aloft the banner of St.
George, eleven longbow men and their commander Sir Thomas Erpingham situated
on
a scenic 10” x 5 1/2” resin base complete with beech wood stakes
Painted
to connoisseur standard in matte colours
Details
by request for those wishing to
purchase by installments the base and figures can be ordered separately at
intervals.
VA1
PART 2 ‘ THE FRENCH ATTACK’
The
French horsemen came thundering down the slope against the English archers,
owing
to the narrowness of the space they were unable to make an effective charge and
bogged down by clinging mud they soon became prey to the longbow. Those that
managed to escape the shafts tripped up amongst the stakes and were rapidly
unhorsed or slain. Those that were unhorsed were in a bad plight, for, owing to
the heavy armour they could not rise without assistance and many were suffocated
or choked in blood being unable to unclasp their visors. At such close quarters
the English archers, all chosen men of great dexterity did terrible execution.
The ‘Flower of French Chivalry’ were either slain or fell back
in confusion ........
VA1
part 2CONT:-
PART
2 ......... The following personalities are just the start of a series that can
be purchased individually to be displayed alone or if desired can be used as
part of a diorama by the use of our interlocking bases.
K1....
JEAN de MAINGRE called ‘Boucicault’- Marshal of
France
.
Captured
at
Agincourt
; one of the few noblemen whose life was spared, died in English captivity six
years later.
Painted
to connoisseur standard in matte colours
K2
....
DUC d’
ALENCON
fought courageously and wounded the Duke of
Gloucester
, but was overpowered by the King’s bodyguard as he raised his hand in
surrender. An English soldier, caught in the frenzied excitement of killing slew
him with one blow of his battle-axe.
Painted
to connoisseur standard in matte colours
K3….
GUILLAUME de BALQUEVEILLE carried the Oriflamme the sacred Banner of St. Denis
at
Agincourt
. This signified war to the death, that no quarter would be given by the French.
He fell in the battle and the proud Oriflamme was lost
K4….
CHARLES DUKE OF
ORLEANS
nephew to the King of
France
was perhaps the most illustrious of the 1,500 taken by the English at
Agincourt
. Like many other important captives he was taken to
England
and was subject to Henry’s massive ransom demands.
Charles remained in
England
until 1436 and was only released on the payment of 240,000 ecus and the promise
never to bear arms against
England
again.
Painted
to connoisseur standard in matte colours
K5
…. SQUIRE STANDARD BEARER to CHARLES DUKE of ORLEANS, carrying the symbol of a
fierce looking black ‘Hedgehog’
on a white field
K6
…. CHARLES D’ ALBRET, CONSTABLE of
FRANCE
, fought bravely as did many French Knights during the
battle
but at the end was found amongst the slain
:-
K7
…. HENRI,
3rd COMTE de BLAMONT { BLANKENBERG } de la MAISON de SALM,
killed in the battle.
Portrayed
charging with lance.
K8
….. JEAN, LE VENEUR, CHEVALIER,
Seigneur de Homme et de SAINT – ELIER.
Charging
carrying
a
mace this Knight like so many met his death at
Agincourt
.
Helmet
visors are hinged so that faces can be viewed.
For
those wishing to purchase by installments the figures can be ordered separately
at intervals - details by request.
VA2
AGINCOURT COMBAT VIGNETTES
The
Battle
of
Agincourt
is probably one of the greatest victories in the history of English warfare. It
was a triumph of valour and cunning, spurred on by the zeal and oratory of
dashing King Henry V. It could also
be said it was a time when the flower of French chivalry was brought to heel
largely by the skill of the English longbow men.
On
a wet and miserable Friday morning the ceaseless rain had turned the ploughed
field before the English into a swampland. The French 50,000 strong were less
than a mile away and in good spirits, confident of an early victory over the
half starved, weary with sickness, less than 10,000 English. But the French were
funnelled into having to fight in a width of 900 yards by the copses either
side.
Harry
ordered his men at arms and bowmen to fashion hundreds of sharpened stakes from
the beech woods around and to secure them into the ground at an angle of 45
degrees in front of them.
Behind
these waited the longbow men, with the bows a foot taller than the average man
they could hit a target with speed and accuracy at three times the range of the
French crossbow. A good bowman could fire twelve arrows a minute.
The
French trumpets sound..... the French Knights and cavalry advance soon to be
bogged
down
in the soft mud. The English bowmen are ordered to fire their arrows into the
air...........
Two
special vignettes of the English in close combat with the French are now
available, fully animated and painted in matte colours each is available on its
own individual sculptured resin base. It is envisaged there will be others to
collect in due course.
AC1
….. Roland de Bruges, Seigneur de Gruuthuse is featured dismounted, bogged
down
in the mud. An English archer arms around his neck is pulling the knight down from behind, whilst another waits to give the
coup de grace with his dagger.
Roland
de Bruges was killed in the battle.
AC2 ….. Herve de
Genevieres, Capitaine du Chateau du Crotoy is shown being pulled from his
charger by an English archer, whilst a man at arms waits poised with his Bill to take him out. Herve de Genevieres was amongst the
French slain at
Agincourt
.
We
have full heraldic details of over 600 French Knights who took part in the
battle.
BRITISH
NAPOLEONIC
VB1
‘The
Union
Forever’(English, Scots, Irish)
Three
animated mounted horsemen immortalising the
famous charge of the Union Brigade at
Waterloo
.
1st
Royal Dragoons, 2nd Scots Greys, 6th Inniskillings ...... with interlocking
bases.
In
the centre an Inniskilling Sergeant Major brandishes his sword, on his left
rides a Trooper of Scots Greys, on the
right a 1st Royal cuts down a French Voltigeur.
Additional
French Infantry figures can be added & quoted by request.
VBFG
“NOW MAITLAND! NOW’S YOUR TIME!” THE FIRST FOOTGUARDS AT
WATERLOO
.
The
3rd Regiment Chasseurs a Pied of the Imperial Guard marched up the
slope towards the Allied position, drums were beating the ‘ pas de charge’
and with arms presented and the Eagles lifted
high they marched with measured step as if on parade.
At
this time no man in the British Foot Guards was visible to the advancing French.
They had been ordered to lie down in the thick wheat on the reverse side of the
slope, under the crest of the ridge.
As
the advancing columns neared the Duke shouted, “ Now Maitland! Now’s your
time”, and the Foot Guards stood up as one man, before the French could
properly deploy, they fired volley after volley into the dense enemy mass with
devastating effect. For some time the bewildered French remained almost
stationary under this murderous fusillade. Maitland, then ordered the 1st
Foot Guards to charge with the bayonet forcing the French down the slope in
confusion.
Extract
from the
London
Gazette 29th July 1815.
His
Royal Highness has also been pleased to approve of the 1st Regiment
of Foot Guards being made a Regiment
of Grenadiers and styled “ The
First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards ” in commemoration of their having
defeated the Grenadiers of the French Imperial Guard on this memorable
occasion…
PART
ONE :-
Consists of eighteen Guardsmen of the Grenadier company deployed in line in two
ranks, Officer, Sergeant and side drummer. The Duke of
Wellington
is mounted on
Copenhagen
, shouting his famous order to Sir Peregrine Maitland who is shown mounted on
his favorite hunter.
The
terrain features part of the crest, with its trampled wheat and slope falling
towards the oncoming French.
A
Red Lancer lies crumpled by his dead horse, elsewhere a
dead French Carabinier lies with sightless eyes towards the sky. The fore
ground is littered with appropriate battle debris.
Painted
in matte colours to our usual museum quality.
Overall
dimensions of base of the vignette
17. 5 x 11 inches
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
VC1
‘JEB STUART’ Major General CSA-
mounted on
Virginia
.
VC2
‘
DIXIE
’
- The Spirit of the South!
A
three figure mounted group at full gallop with interlocking bases. Featuring the
most daring
and
flamboyant of Lee’s Cavalry Commanders,
Jeb Stuart, his trumpeter and Standard bearer.
FRENCH NAPOLEONIC
VF1
‘On Picket’ Napoleon’s Dragoons
(single mounted figure) :- Mid Green Tunic (Habit) Regtl. Facings :- 1 thru 6
Scarlet, 7 thru 12 Crimson, 13 thru 18 Pink, 19 thru 24 Yellow, 25 thru 30
Orange.
VF2
‘Scout Lancer’ Napoleon’s Line
Lancer (single mounted figure) :- Mid Green Tunic (Habit)
Regtl.
Facings :- 1st. Scarlet, 2nd
Orange
, 3rd Pink, 4th Crimson, 5th Sky Blue, 6th Madder Red.
VF3
PART 1 ‘THE OLD GUARD AT BAY’-
DEATH OF A GUARD
WATERLOO
1815
‘The
remnants of the battalions of the Guard trapped in disorder in the valley,
struggled, without
thought
of surrender as best they might.’
‘The 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Regiment of Grenadiers, reduced from 500
to 300 men, standing firm in the valley, under their feet, their fallen
comrades, in front, hundreds of attacking cavalry. They refused to lay down
their arms and steadily closing up their thinning ranks awaited the next attack.
Assailed on all four sides of the square, they discharged a fearfull volley,
which repulsed the attacking cavalry.
The
determined enemy now brought up artillery which proceeded to fire at point-blank
range upon the four corners of the
square. The corners of this human
fortress disintegrated and the square reformed. It presented now but an
irregular albeit determined shape. The ranks were consolidated to cover a wider
front and to protect the wounded seeking refuge inside. Charged again, they
still stood firm, their fire
holding further enemies at bay. Too reduced in numbers to continue in square,
they took advantage of a respite to adopt a new
formation reducing the square to a triangle ,apex towards the enemy, to
protect, whilst retiring, all those who had taken refuge
behind their bayonets. They were now attacked again. The 150 or so men
remained alive still refused to surrender. Firing a last volley they flung
themselves at the enemy cavalry, bayoneting men and horses, finally to perish in
a last superb effort.’
A
vignette of seventeen soldiers of Napoleon’s Old Guard during the closing
moments of the battle, before the final bayonet charge. On our
scenic interlocking bases this vignette
captures the atmosphere and spirit of this heroic last stand.
CONSISTING
OF TWELVE FIGURES IN ACTION, WOUNDED OR DEAD
INCLUDING WOUNDED FIELD OFFICER LYING AGAINST HIS DEAD HORSE TENDED BY A
DRUMMER.
VF3
part 3
‘THE OLD GUARD AT BAY’ PART 3 DEATH
OF A GUARD
WATERLOO
1815
14
STALWARTS OF THE OLD GUARD STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER MAKE UP THIS FINAL PART
OF THE VIGNETTE.
Old
Comrades waiting defiantly, perhaps apprehensively for the closing moments of
their defense.
The
final order is about to be given ...............’CHARGE BAYONETS’ .........
AGAINST CAVALRY!
‘The
remnants of the battalions of the Guard trapped in disorder in the valley,
struggled, without thought of surrender as best they might.’
VFO1
‘ MUSIQUE de L’EMPEREUR’
VG1
THE SPARTANS AT
THERMOPYLAE
480 BC.
The Persian Wars were
the most glorious period in Spartan history and Thermopylae was
certainly
Sparta
’s finest hour.
When
news came that the paths through the
Kalidromos
Mountains
were betrayed to the
Persians, King Leonidas knew that his force was in immediate danger of being cut off. Keeping only his 300 Spartans and the Thespian contingent who
refused to leave his side he prepared to meet the enemy.
In
the first phase of the battle the Greeks inflicted heavy casualties, killing two
brothers of Xerxes the Persian King. Leonidas too unfortunately met his death
and only after a desperate fight was his body recovered. The Greeks withdrew to
a small hill at the entrance to the pass to make a final stand, many by this
stage had their spears broken in their hands - only swords remained.
The
Persians decided to finish them by arrows alone. It is said that when the
Persians shot their arrows ‘The sun was blotted out’. The Spartans and
Thespians died to a man for
Greece
. The following epitaph that was put over the tomb of the Spartans
became
legendry.
Oh
stranger, tell the Lakedaimonians that here we lie, obedient to their commands.
Our
vignette captures something of the last moments of their heroic stand.
VGDS
‘ THE ROLL CALL’
THE
GRENADIER GUARDS AFTER INKERMANN.
November
5th 1854 saw one of the fiercest bloody conflicts of the Crimean war.
The
following
is abridged from Lord Raglan’s report, before
Sebastopol
Nov. 8th 1854 …….
‘ The battle
commenced with a furious onslaught of cannon fire by the Russians who advanced
in powerful columns of infantry, protected by a tremendous fire of shot , shell
and grape, this requiring every effort of gallantry by the British troops to
repel them. At the same
time two battalions of French
infantry, joined and very materially contributed to the successful resistance to
the attack, cheering and charging the enemy down the hill with great loss.
The Brigade of
Guards under his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge was engaged in a severe
conflict at the Sandbag battery. The enemy under the cover of thick brushwood
advanced in two heavy bodies and assaulted with great determination a small
redoubt, which had been constructed for two guns. The combat was most arduous,
and the Brigade after displaying the upmost steadiness and gallantry was obliged
to retire before very superior numbers, until supported by the 20th
Regiment when they again advanced and took the redoubt.
VGDS: -
‘ The Roll Call ’This vignette is inspired by
a painting by Elizabeth Thompson that when first seen made the artist an
overnight sensation. It portrays the Grenadier Guards muster after the
action.
Part
1 features four of the guardsmen as shown in the painting with a sergeant
checking the roll.
painted
in matte colours to our usual museum standard.
PART
2 features six more characters
as portrayed in the painting with three Guardsmen sporting various injuries, a
fourth lies prone in the snow and a concerned comrade kneels by his side whilst
a wounded Grenadier bandages his hand.
PART
3 six more stalwarts to stand
in line, a Guardsman completely exhausted head bowed leans on his Minnie rifle,
a comrade offers help. A water bottle reasonably full seems to be in demand.
PART
4 another six figures each one by itself a ‘character’, make up the second
rank and so doing enables
The
vignette to take shape in the manner of the original painting.
PART
5 These four remaining guardsmen together with the mounted Colonel finally
complete the vignette.
VKGD
– 2nd KING’S GERMAN DRAGOONS
at GARCIA HERNANDEZ 1812
In
1803, seeking to strike at the British but thwarted by the Royal Navy’s
command of the English Channel, Napoleon sent an army corps to occupy the King
of England’s Hanoverian electorate, over which Britain’s dynasty reigned,
and forced her to adopt neutrality. The consequence of this particular
aggression was a continual movement
of men from the former Hanoverian Army to
England
, where they were formed as the King’s German Legion. When the French invaded
Portugal
in the summer of 1810 for the third time,
Wellington
’s rearguards held off Massena and his army, falling back in good order to
Lisbon
and the Lines of Torres Vedres. During this period the KGL were constantly on
duty screening the rearguard, manning outposts, and gaining a reputation as
superb horsemen and swordsmen during many clashes with enemy cavalry. During the winter of 1811-1812,
Wellington
successfully took the fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and
Badajoz
and advanced into
Spain
with an army of 50,000 men. In late
June the Allies drove in the defences at
Salamanca
and occupied the city. It was the first Spanish city to be liberated from the
French.
Next
morning the pursuit was taken up by the KGL Dragoons led by Von Bock. They were
to achieve lasting fame and the admiration of the Allied armies when, near the
village
of
Garcia Hernandez
, they attacked and destroyed French cavalry and several battalions of infantry
in square.
During
the charge on a large square of elements
of the French 6th Light Infantry which had ranks of men kneeling and
standing with levelled bayonets, a loose horse was shot and fell thrashing in
agony and scattering the French. Rittmeister Von Usslar
Gleichen
saw this chaos and led his cheering squadron through the gap and in minutes
destroyed the square, hacking down those who resisted and capturing the rest.
Part
one :- Features the wounded horse and rider pinning down an unfortunate victim,
another mounted Dragoon is in the
act of
breaking
the square and scattering the French 6th Light Infantry
in all directions. The seven French and two mounted Dragoons are painted
in matte to our connoisseur standard and fit together as a vignette with our
unique interlocking bases.
VN1:-
His Britannic Majesty’s Ship Surprise.
‘MAKE THIS ONE COUNT LADS’
Come,
cheer up, my lads, ’tis to glory we steer.
To
add something more to this wonderful year.
Heart
of oak are our ships. Heart of oak are our men.
We’ve
beat them before and we’ll beat them again.
This
was not mere tub-thumping but an axiom that had been put to the proof. Any
understanding of the Royal Navy in its classic age must begin from an acceptance
of these two powerful drives, personal ambition and team spirit.
VN1 :-
‘ Make this one count lads ’ was mainly inspired by the novels of
Patrick O’Brian and his Jack Aubrey and
Maturin
saga and latterly, of course by the movie ‘Master &
Commander. The section of the gun deck on ‘SURPRISE’ has been
carefully researched and we trust will be a lasting tribute to officers and
seamen of the Nelson era.
Painted and shaded in
matte colours to our usual museum standard.
VP1
‘FORWARD THE COLOURS’
27th
INNISKILLING 1808- 1814…… PENINSULA, ALBUERA ,
BADAJOZ
,
SALAMANCA
,
VITTORIA
, ORTHES
Tattered,
bullet holed, somewhat torn and grimed with dust and hard campaigning the
Colours are proud and seasoned like the Regiment,
Wellington
’s men veterans of the
Peninsula
campaign.
PART ONE – Captures the moment of
battle, Ensigns carry the King’s and Regimental Colours flanked by their two
Colour Sergeants …… painted and shaded in matte colours to museum standard
and featuring our unique interlocking bases.
this
is only the start of an exciting vignette, additional parts will be available in
due course, although Part one can stand as a feature by itself.
PART
2A
– Right flank, consists of five
individual fully animated advancing Privates { two of which are are wounded }
led by an Officer with drawn sword. Interlocking pieces are included to fit Part
1.
PART
2B – Left flank, again five different character figures advancing to complete
this exciting vignette.
OTHER
REGIMENTS OF THE LINE THAT FOUGHT WITH
WELLINGTON
CAN BE PRODUCED TO ORDER.
VP
2 ‘ FOLLOWING THE DRUM ’
A
soldier’s life in
Wellington
’s day was bleak in respect of domestic comfort. The Army actively discouraged
the rank and file from marrying;
only six men in every hundred were officially allowed married status, with the
commanding officer’s permission – this meant that their wives could live
with them in barracks and were allowed to draw a soldier’s rations. The other
camp- followers had to shift for themselves, there were no restrictions against
such relationships and the soldier’s woman could seek work nearby; but their
prospects were meagre.
When
a battalion was posted overseas the recognised wives were allowed to accompany
their men, some even taking young children with them; the strict limits on the
number allowed on the ration strength led to heartbreaking scenes as the women
were drawn by lot at the port of departure. The ‘lucky’ women marched with
the battalion’s baggage, sharing every hardship and many of the dangers of
camp life.
On
retreats or forced marches their fate was pitiable but it must be said they were
often an unmitigated nuisance, blocking roads and accepting no sort of
discipline. One cannot fail to be moved, however, by their sturdy courage. More
than one exhausted redcoat would have been left in the road if his wife had not
carried him on her back, musket and all. In the aftermath of battle the wives of
titled officers and illiterate privates could be seen together, searching among
the piles of dead and wounded for their men.
VP 2 :-
Our vignette is of a very fortunate Light Dragoon being comforted and
nursed by his lady, having survived the latest skirmish during
Wellington
’s campaigns in the
Peninsula
. Featuring its own scenic resin base the vignette is painted and shaded in
matte colours to our usual museum standard.
VP61
THE 61st FOOT AT
SALAMANCA
1812 PRIVATES CRAWFORD and coulson with the colours
During the fiercely
fought battle of
Salamanca
on 22nd July 1812, the 61st was part of an attack ordered
by
Wellington
to take the Greater Arapile, an important feature which
was in the hands of the French.
The
61st, along with the 11th, attacked up the slope and
despite fierce French resistance and flanking attacks, fought their way towards
their objective. As the 61st pressed home the attack it suffered
heavy casualties and during the final charge nearly all the officers and
sergeants
fell. The Colours were seized by two privates, Crawford and Coulson, who carried
them triumphantly to the summit.
No
less than six reliefs of officers and sergeants had been shot under the Colours.
The
61st went into action with 27 officers and 420 men and of these 24
officers, including the commanding officer, and 342men were either killed or
wounded. The Regiment received unstinted praise for its gallantry and courage,
Crawford was immediately promoted to sergeant.
Our
vignette VP61 – Captures the moment of battle, when Crawford and Coulson
seized the King’s and Regimental Colours, passing a fallen comrade during the
advance.
Provided
with its own scenic resin base it is painted and shaded in matte colours to our
usual museum standard.
VS2
SHARPE’S EAGLE
Derek
Cross. In fact every volume in the series is in his library and they are well
used.
‘SHARPES
EAGLE’ the first in the series has inspired him to design this latest AQM
vignette. Sharpe and Sergeant Harper are caught in the act of capturing the
Eagle of Napoleons Dutch Regiment in French service as vividly described by the
author.
We
have a feeling that this set could be a winner, maybe if you have not already,
it Could inspire you to read the adventures of Lieutenant Richard Sharpe 95th
Rifles and
the South Essex in the
Peninsula
.
A
six figure vignette with interlocking bases. Painted to connoisseur standard in
matte colours
WORLD
WAR 1
VWW1A
BEERSHEBA
- 4th AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE
BEERSHEBA
31st OCTOBER 1917 :- The last great mounted charge
4th AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE BRIGADE
‘It
was the bravest, most awe inspiring sight I’ve ever witnessed, and they
were... yelling, swearing and shouting. There were more than 500 Aussie horsemen
... As they thundered past my hair stood on end. The boys were wild-eyed and
yelling their heads off’’.
General Sir H. G. Chauvel had been ordered
‘ to capture
Beersheba
today in order to secure water and take prisoners’. The 4th Light Horse
had
spent a quiet day, scattered against surprise
aircraft attack in small clusters. It took an hour-and-a-half
to assemble the Brigade
behind
a ridge overlooking
Beersheba
it was 4-30 in the afternoon they moved off at the trot, ‘Speed and surprise
were their one chance,
and
almost at once the pace was quickened to a gallop’. Without swords, the light
horsemen drew their long bayonets to flash in the setting sun
as swords...
Four
miles ahead lay Turkish trenches, cleverly concealed and surrounded on nearby
hills by machine gun and artillery positions. As
the trenches neared rapid fire began to take its toll. Horses and
men in the first line began to drop. Strangely, as the lines got closer
fewer
casualties
occurred. This, it was later said, was due to the Turks being dazed by the
audacity and thunder of the charge, failed to alter
the
sights on their rifles. Soon they were firing harmlessly over the heads of the
light horsemen. Half-a-mile from the town, the Brigade began to overrun fugitive
troops and guns. Some surrended but others fought and Light Horseman here and
there dismounted to capture
them
by rifle and bayonet. The charge swept on and after fierce hand to hand fighting
the town was taken. ‘Of course we were scared,
VWW1A
BEERSHEBA
- 4th AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE
A
mounted three figure vignette utilising our unique interlocking bases, capturing
the atmosphere of this heroic charge. Consisting of Light Horsemen at the
gallop an Officer and two Aussies with slung
rifles waving drawn bayonets.
V60
60th RIFLES { ROYAL AMERICAN } -
WELLINGTON
’S FINEST.
‘
Red and green, red and green finest colours ever seen ’
The
Regiment was titled the 60th { Royal American } Regiment of foot in
1756.The new regiment fought at Ticonderoga,
Fort
Duquesne
, Louisbourg and
Quebec
in a decisive campaign which finally took
Canada
from the French. At
Quebec
the 60th won the motto from General Wolfe ‘Celer et Audax’ {
Swift and Bold }.
When
General Wellesley landed in
Portugal
in 1808, the 5/60th were the first unit ashore at
Mondego
Bay
and from the start were brigaded with the 95th Rifles to form a
brigade of riflemen. The 5/60th were the first British unit to be
dressed in a green jacket with red facings and armed with the Baker rifle in
place of the smooth bore musket. As such the Battalion represented the first
British attempt at developing specialised light
infantry that by nature of their role in battle – dispersed as skirmishers,
flank guards, scouts, marksmen etc. – they carried no colours and this became
the rule for all Rifle Regiments and remains so today. Due to their dispersion
across the battlefield orders were given by bugle horn, a practice which is
maintained on parades today, as is the retention of buglers rather than drummers
in Rifle and Light Infantry Regiments.
The
following list of Peninsula Battle Honours were gained at the cost of 68
officers and 767 men, as well as a further two officers and 228 men reported as
missing.
Peninsula,
Roleia, Vimiera, Duoro, Martinique, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes d’ Onoro,
Albuera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajos, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive,
Orthes,
Toulouse
.
Our
vignette V60 – features five 60th riflemen in various skirmish
positions, with number six determined to take no hassle from a French Voltigeur.
Provided
with its own scenic resin base it is painted and shaded in order to represent a
typical
Peninsula
terrain in matte colours to our usual museum standard.
V93
‘ THE THIN RED LINE ’
BALACLAVA
1854
Painted
to connoisseur standard in matte colours
Sir
Colin Campbell ordered the 93rd to retire and lie down behind the
crest of the high ground which they occupied. The Russian cavalry advanced
towards the British to attack cavalry and artillery, Sir Colin ordered the 93rd
to stand up, deploy into two lines and move forward. The Russian cavalry, seeing
the redcoated infantry ………. ‘That thin red streak tipped with a line of
steel’ { William Russell, war correspondent } at once charged towards them.
As the Russians came within range the 93rd
fired two volleys into the incoming cavalry as they were about 250 yards
away.
A
Russian cavalry officer said later ‘ We did not know you were lying down
behind the hill until you started from the ground and fired a volley at us. We
were unable to rein up or slacken speed …… before we received your second
volley by which time almost every man and horse in our ranks was wounded.’
As
the Russians wheeled aside to escape the Highlanders’ fire, they exposed
themselves to yet a third volley into their flank. The battle was concluded by
the charge of the Heavy Brigade which completely routed the Russians and saved
the
port
of
Balaclava
.
The
93rd were the only infantry regiment to be awarded ‘Balaclava’ as
a Battle Honour And some years later this famous action was immortalised by th
artist Robert Gibb in his Painting ‘The Thin Red Line’ on which our vignette
is designed.
Part
one …… consists of eleven figures Officer, Sergeant and
other characters including wounded as portrayed by the artist. Fitting
together by our unique system of interlocking bases ……… Part 1 of the
vignette can be collected to be displayed by itself alone, or for those who wish
to enlarge the vignette there will be more parts released in the future.
Part
two ……… is a continuation of the Regimental line. Twelve Highlanders all
different personalities having fired the first two volleys, stand firm and await
a further onslaught from the Russian cavalry who have reeled back in confusion.
Part
three …….. features Sir Colin
Campbell, commanding Highland Brigade and Colonel of the 93rd both
mounted on horseback, Drummer boy, Brigade Major, Ensigns with Regimental and
Queen’s Colours plus all interlocking pieces to fit parts 1, 2 and 4.
Part
Four ……. The final part to complete this vignette consists of twelve
Highlanders standing in line including a Sergeant and Colour Sergeant plus two
further figures – an Officer and a
Pipe Major, making fourteen overall.
VBFG
“NOW MAITLAND! NOW’S YOUR TIME!” THE FIRST FOOTGUARDS AT
WATERLOO.
Now,
as well as being able to purchase the standard VBFG ‘ Now Maitland! Now’s
Your Time!’ finished figures are available singly or in groups supplied ready
pegged To make your own vignettes, dioramas or just groups, or as an alternative
supplied with small bases.
Figures
of Guardsmen firing and left shoulder position are available…….£38.00 each
Officers, Adjutant (centre company) Light and Grenadier company's
all
three figures are
different………………………………………………£42.00 each
Colour Sergeants (two
different),…………………………………………£40.00 each
Sergeants centre, grenadier and light + RSM……………………………..£40.00
each
King's Colour with ensign and Regimental with ensign…………………..£75.00
each
Drummers………………………………………………………………….£45.00
each
Mounted figures Maitland and Wellington………………………………..£70.00
each
Standing Royal Artillery, three different gunners,………………………...£38.00
each
Standing
Royal Artillery, Officer………………………………………….£42.00
each
A 6 or 9 pdr. cannon with broken wheel having taken a hit, with two
Dead
and one badly wounded gunner…………………………………….£135.00
each
A limber is
available………………………………………………………£60.00
each
Various
dead French cavalry figures and horses are available.
PRICES AVAILABLE BY REQUEST.
2ND PART OF THE VIGNETTE.
3RD
FOOT CHASSEURS A´ PIED OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD.
Figures of the 3 rd
Chasseurs a pied of the Imperial Guard advancing ‘on guard’ or ‘at ready’
positions wearing habit (uniform coat) or overcoat with bearskin cap. Variations
include chapeau or bonnet de police. ….. £38 each
Chasseurs at ‘left
shoulder arms’ musket position advancing (variations as above) ……. £38 each
Chasseurs firing musket …… £38 each
Chasseurs ‘Vive L’Empereur’ …. Holding musket high with bearskin and/or chapeau
on end of bayonet ……. £38 each. Two different arm positions available.
Chasseur extracting cartridge from cartouche ……… £38 each
Chasseurs falling wounded …. 24 different positions available…… £38 each
Sergeants ……. 4 different figures available plus 2 falling wounded in differing
positions…… £38 each
Sergeant Major advancing ……. £40 each
Drummers with bearskin and/or chapeau (bicorne) plus 2 different falling wounded
positions….. £45 each
Officers advancing 3 different figures available plus 2 falling mortally wounded
……. £42 each
Colour Party, Officer Eagle-bearer and 2 sergeant escorts ……… £165
Chasseur Sapeurs advancing with axe at shoulder position with bearskin and/or
chapeau ….. £40 each
Sergeant Sapeur with pistols and special sword at shoulder position ……. £43 each
Lieutenant-General Michel mortally wounded with separate dead horse…….. £85
Marshal Ney mounted with sword in hand ……. £85
Aide to Marshal Ney mounted ……… £85
British Dragoon fallen over dead French infantryman …… £75
·
Various dead British
cavalry figures are available also French line infantry, British infantry
casualties, and battlefield debris. Prices on request of requirement.
·
All figures are 60mm,
painted and shaded to museum standard in matt and gloss colours as applicable.
·
Supplied ready pegged for
individual vignettes and dioramas or on separate bases.
·
The photographs shown are
Part 2 of a specially commissioned diorama for an overseas collector.
·
All new figures were
designed to compliment Part 1 and produced over several months.
