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Dragoons by Garry Douglas Kilworth
AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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Dear All,

I note that there is second outing for Ensign Early; yet another author using the AZW a vehicle for his novels:

Title: Dragoons
Author: Garry Douglas Kilworth
Hardcover: ISBN 0727880047
Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd
Date: 2011

As the Ensign has been appointed the Provost Marshal in the novel, I may just take a professional interest this time. The Military Mounted Police were only formally two years old in 1879 (albeit they'd been around since 1855); I know of none deploying to SA during the AZW, so does he use Regtl Police to do his bidding? Or even NMP? Interesting.

Amazon are selling the [Hb] for �15, down from �19.99.

I suspect I'll wait until it's under a fiver!

AMB
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AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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All,

I spent some time looking up the author of this title and found he's written a series of books about the Crimean War which I am now reading. Well written and good historical detail.

If his Zulu books are of a similar quality then I will indeed read them.

AMB
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The Scorer


Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Posts: 338
Location: Newport
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Well, I started reading the first one in the Ensign Early series, but gave up fairly early (if you'll pardon the pun!).

I found that I just couldn't relate to the character, which I think is all important to me. I had the same feeling when reading later books in the "Fancy Jack" Crossman series. The first two or three were very good but the later ones weren't - and, again, I gave up half way through what might have been the last one.

I was disappointed that I did feel that way, as by that time Crossman had moved on the New Zealand to fight in the Maori Wars of the late 1860's, a conflict about which I know very little.

I may try again, but on the whole I doubt it. Please, though, don't let this put you off - I'm sure that they are worth reading, just not by me at the moment.

Smile
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Keith Smith


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 540
Location: Northern NSW, Australia
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Andrew

As an ex-MP myself, let me advise that they were represented in the Zulu War:

General Order No. 27, 7 January 1879, Times of Natal, 10 February 1879:
MILITARY POLICE.
1 Sergeant at 8d., and 3 men at 4d., from the 2nd January, 1879, for duties at Utrecht.

KIS
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AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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Keith,

Thank you. Most interesting. The first reference to MPs that I have come across during the Zulu War.


Any mention of their horses?

AMB
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Keith Smith


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 540
Location: Northern NSW, Australia
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Andrew

Sorry, nothing more than the above.

KIS
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John Young


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 1020
Location: Lower Sheering, Essex
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Andrew,

In The South African Campaign of 1879, under the entry for Lt. R.A.B. French-Brewster, 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards, it states 'Served in the campaign as Deputy Provost-Marshal of the 2nd Divis.,...'

John Y.
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AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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John,

Many thanks.

MMP/PM info is liking waiting for a London bus...!

Andrew
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Keith Smith


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 540
Location: Northern NSW, Australia
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Andrew

Further to John's post, and to hurry on the London bus, I also found the following references to the Provost Marshal:

General Order No. 108, dated 31 May 1879, Natal Witness 7 June 1879.
2nd Division: Captain French Brewster, Kings Dragoon Guards, to be Deputy Provost Marshal.
The Deputy Provost Marshall will receive 5s. per diem.

General Order No. 14, dated 26 July 1879, Natal Colonist, 31 July 1879. See also Times of Natal, 28 July 1879.
8. The following officers, now on the Staff of Divisions or Brigades, will rejoin their regiments:�
Lieutenant Brewster, K.D.G., Provost Marshal.
Captain Chater, 91st Regt., Deputy Provost Marshal.

The last Order was quite extensive, being Wolseley's dispersal of the troops after the battle of Ulundi (and himself taking the reins from Chelmsford). The second reference to Brewster is clearly in error, both in terms of his name and rank.

KIS
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AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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Keith,

Fascinating!

I take it that both the PM and DPM are from the 1st Div?

Any idea how these chaps would have conducted business? Were the MPs previously mentioned under their comd, or would they have used regimental personnel?

AMB
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Dragoons by Garry Douglas Kilworth
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