THE 1727-1760: ARMY OF GEORGE II WHO FORGED THE AN SOLDIERS EMPIRE

◗ Peter Brown ◗ Helion & Company (2020) ◗ £29.95 ◗ 314 pages (softback) ◗ ISBN:9781913118969 ◗ www.helion.co.uk

King George II’S Army does not enjoy the esteem of those commanded by Churchill or Wellesley, but its soldiers defeated a Jacobite attempt to overthrow the Hanoverian monarchy, defeated the French in America, laid the foundations of British rule in India and acquitted themselves well in several battles in Europe.

The King’s Shilling covers the recruiting of private soldiers, the system of drafting troops into different, understrength regiments and desertion. Gone for a Soldier describes barracks and billets, pay and conditions, daily routine, reviews, policing actions and the important role of soldiers’wives. Crime and Punishment deals with the company courts, regimental and general courts martial and the various punishments meted out to the rank and file. Officers and Gentlemen explains the purchase of commissions, promotions, the code of honour and duelling, and leading by example.

Three chapters describe the organisation, uniforms and equipment of infantry, cavalry and artillery. There are no pictures of weapons or pieces of artillery; instead, readers must rely on verbal descriptions alone. There then follow chapters on colours and standards; militia, volunteers and the employment of foreign mercenaries; medical provision, and logistics and supply.

The Army on Campaign describes preparation for a campaign, routine on the march, camp followers and sutlers, foraging and intelligence gathering from spies and deserters. The Experience of Battle discusses command and control, deployment, the theoretical stages of a battle, infantry firepower, the‘tipping point’when one side would give way and pursuit. The Butcher’s Bill then describes the aftermath: the stripping and plundering of casualties, medical treatment and field hospitals and prisoners.

Three chapters are devoted to service in the colonies.‘la Guerre Sauvage’describes recruitment in the American colonies; alterations to uniforms; regular battalions raised in America, Militia and Provincial Regiments, and the Ranger Companies, Native American allies, medical support, logistics and the experience of combat. ‘John Company’describes service in India, recruitment, sepoy regiments, the organisation of HEIC regiments, uniforms, medical support, logistics and Indian warfare. The third chapter deals briefly with Colonial Regiments in the rest of the Empire.

The final chapter, Leaving the Army, explains what happened when soldiers were mustered out, how disabled or‘worn out’ soldiers might qualify for a pension, and how veterans could make a living afterwards.

Nine full-page colour plates by Patrice Courcelle, depicting mid-eighteenth century British cavalrymen and infantrymen, are followed by seven colour photographs showing modern reconstructions of British soldiers and a stand of colours.

Eight appendices cover Infantry Uniform facings and lace 1742-1760; Infantry Regiments raised during the Seven Years’war; British Regiments serving in North America; American Provincial Regiments; Special Distinctions displayed on Regimental Colours; Heavy Cavalry, Dragoon and Light Dragoon Uniforms. There are numerous black and white reproductions of contemporary paintings or prints and later illustrations distributed throughout the text.

The author has provided‘a rounded picture of the British soldier during the reign of George II, from his recruitment, through training, on campaign and into battle before his eventual retirement’. This single volume contains all the background information – save specific campaign and battle narratives – a wargamer could require, though collectors and painters of more detailed, 25 mm or larger, figures will seek further uniform references. Good value and highly recommended.