An Extraordinary Soldier: From the Zulu War to the Somme

How’s this for a career? - A gentleman ranker who fought in the Zulu war, later chased Boer Commandos across South Africa, commanded the South African Brigade on the Somme and as if that wasn’t enough, the old war horse went on to take charge of an elite division on the western front.
So who was he? Henry Timson “Tim” Lukin - arguably South Africa's greatest ever General.
Special thanks to Cam Simpson for researching and co-writing this episode. His books can be found here: amzn.to/3TDsjab
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
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[@ruduk3036]

The guy went from pitched battles to guerrilla warfare to the horrors of trench warfare. And seemingly excelled at all of them. Penny for his thoughts !

[@redcoathistory]

Yep a varied and taxing career for sure.

[@jonchapman999]

Thank you for this. Fascinating. My grandfather served with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps at Delville Wood, fighting alongside the South African Brigade, where his own company (he was a Quartermaster Sergeant by then) suffered appalling casualties. He would speak with great affection and respect for the fighting qualities of the South African troops with whom he fought. He went on to fight at Vimy Ridge, possibly in the 9th Division under Lukin. The South African Memorial at Delville Wood is a beautiful and moving tribute and well worth visiting, and the wood itself still contains some of the original trench lines that were fought over in July 1916.

[@samuelseymour7850]

They dont make men like this any more, Salute Sir !

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. Yep, he was certainly a man amongst men.

[@jon9021]

Ain’t that the truth!

[@beniteztheconman]

Piers morgan?

[@jon9021]

@@beniteztheconman err…no.

[@samuelseymour7850]

@@beniteztheconman Just can't picture Piers, Martini Henry carbine in hand, charging on horseback across the veldt ?

[@user-cd4bx6uq1y]

I was thinking how interesting his stories would've been to others in WW1

[@UkrainianPaulie]

As a Yank and a combat veteran myself, I respect his accomplishments.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. He really was an exceptional talent.

[@beniteztheconman]

Combat vet? Vietnam?

[@standard_gauge]

Another British officer travelled a similar path. Horace Smith Dorrien was one of the few british officers to survive the battle of Isandlwana. In 1914 he command II Corps of the BEF at the battle of Mons

[@landoremick7422]

Seen his statue in Cape Town recently. And now I know the story!

[@alonsocushing2263]

Couldn't pass the entrance exam for Sandhurst but ended up commanding a division during WW1. The irony.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Yep, I thought the same thing, yet he was excellent in Gunnery and Signaling.

[@alonsocushing2263]

@@cameronsimpson-ld8nk And even more importantly, command.

[@stephensmith4480]

@@alonsocushing2263 Yep 💯%. If you can command your men and just as important, command respect, you are halfway there. This man had both by the Wagon load.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

Some people are just no good at exams despite their intelligence and ability

[@welshwarrior5263]

That's one impressive military career.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi mate. - yep he really had an amazing career. Hope you are well and have nice christmas plans.

[@welshwarrior5263]

@redcoathistory Thanks mate, that's very nice of you. It will be good to have time off and spend it with the wife and children, instead of travelling around building sits and staying in hotels. Hope you are well too, and have a great Christmas.

[@redcoathistory]

@@welshwarrior5263 Well enjoy it mate and have a well deserved rest with family. Hope to chat in the new year.

[@exsubmariner]

This man was a cut above the rest and probably saved many men by his experience in previous encounters Thanks for lighting up this soldier who i hadn't previously encountered

[@magnificus8581]

American here, really enjoying your content! Thank you so much for all your hard work!

[@charlietreston4035]

Brilliant video the amount of casualties in ww1 appalling I now know why so many small towns in South Africa have memorials to the war dead much respect

[@redcoathistory]

This was fanatastic to make. I hadn't heard of Lukin until recently but he really is an exceptional character. Comment below with your thoughts and who else you think I should make a film about.

[@ddoherty5956]

Just started watching, it isn't Corporal Jones is it? 🤣

[@ddoherty5956]

Master at arms with a lifetime of experience, not what I had been taught about the leadership of WW1 but then I suppose he was very different to the rest.

[@ronmccarville256]

His is quite a story! Steady, reliable, highly regarded by all who knew him. Best of all he was a leader when leadership was needed most. Thanks for telling his story!

[@redcoathistory]

@@ddoherty5956 Thanks a lot. I think there were many excellent senior officers in WW1 so maybe I should try and make more films about them?

[@redcoathistory]

@@ronmccarville256 Thanks a lot.

[@wacojones8062]

Training when off the line is how great units are built.

[@willsherman1049]

Great! I love these mini biography videos. Well done Chris.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks WIll - lots more to come.

[@user-lv3or5xk3t]

What an exciting life.

[@SSGTStryker]

Sounds like General Henry “Tim” Lukin was a true OG “Life taker and heartbreaker!”

[@JamesThomas-gg6il]

Excellent telling of an absolutely great man. Thank you

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, James.So many amazing story to share.

[@covertcounsellor6797]

Excellent content. Now THAT was a man!

[@jatzbethstappen9814]

Salute indeed!

[@Philcoxon]

Recently found out my granpa RSM James Coxon MC of the 9th Duke of Wellingtons Regiment of West Yorkshire fought in the Boer war, before that was posted to Malta Burma Singapore and in 1904, after South Africa, was posted to India with his wife, where in 1905 there first child my aunt Mary was born, in a town called DumDum. After 18 years of service he retired from the army in 1910, with the rank of Colour Sgt. , only to join up again in 1914 for WW1, where he was promoted to CSM within weeks, and not long after to Regimental Sgt. Major Aged 38, where he won his Military Cross. On the 22nd and 28th of December 1918 he took the last 2 Regimental parades before they, the Dukes returned to the West Riding, Bradford to be exact, granma Mary was from Halifax, James was born in Gateshead County Durham, they were made of different stuff back then, especially the women, the difference in life style from Halifax to India must have been huge, but granny did it. Sadly never met either one, granma died in 1926 grampa just 2 years later in 28, RIP.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Amazing service

[@redcoathistory]

Wow that is an amazing career. I'm glad you know his story and are happy to share.

[@zen4men]

James's MC was gazetted on the 3rd of June 1918. issue 30716 -supplement 6462 www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30716/supplement/6462/data.pdf /

[@FranciscoPreira]

Another great life story. Thanks for sharing.

[@redcoathistory]

Brilliant thanks for watching. Another video coming this afternoon.

[@keithagn]

Fascinating and inspiring story of a very brave man. Thank you, Chris!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot Keith

[@thehistoadian]

Legend

[@ddoherty5956]

Really interesting video, thank you.👍🇬🇧

[@srkmarine1]

As always, fantastic work!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Shaun

[@petem7118]

Thank you 🙏…. Very interesting and informative….. I would love to know more about the type of examinations that gentlemen were asked to take in order to be considered for officer training… and see some examples of the questions asked, the minimum pass mark and any other requirements for such an entrance exam.

[@redcoathistory]

Great suggestion! I haven't come across that info but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[@JoeRogansForehead]

A relative got his commission . Classic

[@user-nw8yk4ln8x]

My great grandfather did the same according to my late father I think he fought in Italy

[@redcoathistory]

any more info?

[@mktf5582]

Reginald Barnes, soldier of the same era = long distinguished career.

[@redcoathistory]

Will look him up - thanks a lot

[@janlindtner305]

I liked that litel klik in the zulu name bab-qwani Chris👍

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Jan - took years of practice! Hope you are well mate.

[@janlindtner305]

@@redcoathistoryThank you, magnificent. I'm retiring on 23 December. May you and yours have a very merry Christmas❤👍🤟

[@redcoathistory]

@@janlindtner305 Great news - I wish you a fantastic retirement. Have a lovely Christmas. Look forward to chatting more next year.

[@docstockandbarrel]

👍🏻

[@aerominty12]

Didnt General Horace Smith-Dorrien survive Isandlwana?

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

He sure did

[@redcoathistory]

Yep, I've done a recent video on the Isandlwana survivors that you may enjoy.

[@aerominty12]

@@redcoathistory Will check it out!! Love your content btw, your peninsular series was excellent! and learning about the exploits of my Great Grandfathers old regiment during the napoleonic wars was great! (My grandfather served With The Connaught Rangers in the Great War) Keep up the good work 👍

[@exsubmariner]

Lt Wanklyn Vc submarine commanding officer

[@KenMorgan-jd9rg]

Invaders

[@leod-sigefast]

Russian bot