How Sergeant McCabe Turned the Tide and won a War!

Who says Sergeants can't win battles?
In today's amazing slice of British military history we learn about the Sergeant in the 31st Regiment of Foot who almost single-handedly changed the course of the Battle of Sobraon.
More from me on the 1st Anglo-Sikh War - • The 1st Anglo-Sikh War...
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[@copferthat]

The General commanding in the Sikh wars was Sir Hugh "Paddy" Gough. It was said he only knew one order....charge! He used to ride around on his horse in a long distinguishable coat, which he called his 'fighting coat' deliberately drawing enemy fire upon himself instead of his men. When once told his cavalry were scattered and his artillery had run out of ammunition he said..... good, now we can be at them with the bayonet. The British army attracted these amazing, eccentric, dare I say nutters? Brilliant

[@Xenophon1]

Now that’s soldiering.

[@petem7118]

The Sikh warrior was a very brave and courageous fighter and a very difficult enemy to fight in the same vein as the Ghurka…. I seem to recall a story about how they came to fight under the British flag that was based on their admiration and respect for the British soldiers they fought….. undoubtedly these British soldiers were truly deserving of our thanks for their sacrifices and deepest respect and their memory deserves to be remembered and honoured….. thank you for sharing mate….!

[@JBils41]

The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) have continued the tradition of appointing a Sobraon Sergeant every year who parades the colours on Sobraon Day… The Huntingdonshire Regt amalgamated into the East Surrey Regt, and came to PWRR via the Queens Regt

[@redcoathistory]

That's great - thanks for clarifying. Much appreciated.

[@ryanparker7258]

It was a great day battalion day off unless you worked the the SGT’s mess then it was a very long and knackering day/night, I know as I did about 6 Sobroan days in the mess. But like all battle honours was celebrated with honour and respect.

[@theimmortalgrenadier3851]

A totally underrated and forgotten fighter. Thank you sir for sharing and honoring his memory.

[@DaveSCameron]

👍☘️

[@badger688]

Never forgotten! My Regiment/s (Queens and PWRR) celebrate every year😀

[@auldflyer]

An excellent presentation of the life of a forgotten Victorian hero

[@spanglestein66]

This channel….gives me more pride for my country and history….in 30 mins ….than I ever got from my 1970 comprehensive history education…..god bless you sir 💪🏻🇬🇧🙏🏻❤️

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks - that makes me happy to hear.

[@brianbreen1026]

Mc cabe was an Irish man.

[@martinhogg5337]

A very brave man! Thanks for bringing him recognition.

[@PabloRichardFernandez]

Well, that figures. A senior NCO displays inspired initiative and gallantry in battle, and is rewarded by being demoted to junior commissioned officer…

[@jhnshep]

'you done me a good turn, now I'm going to do you a damned bad one'

[@theimmortalgrenadier3851]

An Irish-man. So many Irish soldiers were heroes

[@DaveSCameron]

Correct Sir and not to downplay our Scouse part in taming the known world either! 📚☘️🎚️

[@britishpatriot7386]

Trained by the English, paid by the English, but yes many Irish warriors did very well in battle.

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

My Irish ancestor escaped the famine to England joined the British army and ended up in the Crimea. Then came to Australia and here i am

[@royalirishranger1931]

Bernard McCabe was an Ulsterman !

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

@@royalirishranger1931 Good for him. Still part of Ireland mate

[@mktf5582]

Please do more = Epic story of, episodes like this are needed for unsung individuals.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks - would love to - any stories you'd like to see me look into?

[@mktf5582]

@@redcoathistory Guillermo Miller Latin American Wars of independence - Bob Lilley SAS rogue heroes/founder - Reginald Barnes soldier early 1900's - Francis Vere Anglo/Dutch/Spanish war.

[@stevewixom9311]

Really enjoyed this video. Not only was it well done but to me an important video. Men like McCabe deserve to be remembered. All to often it's only the generals that are mentioned and not the men whose actions actually won the battles.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. It was a pleasure to learn and share his story.

[@peterwrigglesworth7302]

Fantastic story what a brave man My great grand father Benjamin John Jury was I the 31st regiment he served with them during the Sikh wars through to the Crimea Thank you for another excellent video cheers Pete

[@luckysticks]

My father was Sobraon Sergeant for 1 Queens in 1977 (Sgt M.T.Potts). He passed away in 2017, proud of his regiment and having the opportunity to carry the regimental colours on that day.

[@redcoathistory]

That's an amazing achievment and I'm really glad to hear his story. Thanks fo sharing.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

What a brilliant story Chris.....well done Bernard McCabe.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Cam. Yep, he really was a man amongst men.

[@williamtraynor-kean7214]

The Queens Rgt Officers Mess used to hand over the Colour to the Sgts Mess on Sobranon Day, no doubt long gone tradition.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate. I wander if the PWRR still follow this tradition...I suspect they do but would have to check.

[@MC14may]

Yes they do...a Sgt gets the honour of being selected Sobranon SGT once a year for being considered the best Sgt in the BN and will march to the officers mess to collect the colours under escort and take them to the Sgts Mess for the day,there is also a football match between the officers and Sgts and the obligatory piss-up

[@anthonyhargis6855]

Bernard McCabe, a real life . . . "Richard Sharpe." Outstanding. 🍻

[@gerardhogan3]

G'day Chris, I'm very aware of Huntingdonshire as my wife's GGG Grandfather left there in 1857 and came to Australia. I'm wondering if many immigrated or joined Army to improve their lot. I enjoy these stories as many of them have direct links to the development of Colonial Australia but yes totally agree ....these blokes were tough.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate.

[@Odin62100]

You mentioned Sir Harry Smith at one of the battles in India. I don't know if you'd done something on him already, but it sure would be great to see your take on him, inclusive of his romance and marriage to Lady Juana. My ancestor William Holder fought with him in the 6th Frontier War in South Africa, 1835, and was also a founder of the town named after Sir Harry in the Freestate province of South Africa. There are two towns in SA named after Lady Juana as well, Ladismith WC and Ladysmith KZN. Very fascinating story.

[@matthewfinkenbinder5846]

The stories that don't get told that need to get told. This is a perfect example of that. Well done.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate. Any other stories you'd like to see me cover?

[@matthewfinkenbinder5846]

@redcoathistory I will say, as an American, I am aware of a maybe not one-sided but at least very skewed resource pool on the subject of the American Revolutionary War/American War of Independence. As such, while I am aware there were plenty of British soldiers who proved themselves in that conflict, their stories are not ones we regularly get told here. The British aren't (generally) portrayed as cruel or malicious, with individual exceptions, but we tend to focus on notable Colonial performances. I'd be interested in a video in line with this one covering a notable individual career during that time frame. Given British actions in the Americas before and after that conflict, I'm sure there are a few great candidates who don't get recognition. On that note, a video covering the Colonial Militias across the Empire could also prove interesting as while looked at as little more than an Auxiliary force, they occasionally proved critical yet also get forgotten in the grand story of history. I do have a bit of a bias toward the militias as the U.S. National Guard unit in my home town (201st Field Artillery) is the oldest continually active unit in the U.S. military. Drawing its lineage to a militia formation in 1735 by Col. Morgan Morgan. Sorry, tangent. But there are militias that supported British Regulars that were worth noting.

[@viktorkanyik3416]

As a Sergeant myself, this is cool as f. (Hungarian army 1st armored brigade 1st self propelled artillery battalion)

[@redcoathistory]

Nice one brother!

[@keithagn]

Total Respect for this brave man. Thank you, Chris for bringing this story to us, and keeping our history alive. Regards from Canada 🇨🇦

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Keith. Glad you enjoyed it - anyone else you think I should focus on?

[@keithagn]

@@redcoathistory I can't think of any particular person, but the War of 1812 would have its fair share of characters and brave men and women, such as,Laura Secord. Best Regards!

[@welshwarrior5263]

A very brave man who led by example. This is easily my favourite channel on KZbin. Thanks mate.

[@redcoathistory]

That's great to hear thanks mate. Yep, Captain McCabe was a brave man and it was an honour to share his story.

[@Gerrcinn]

Thanks for that Chris, a brilliant watch, and as the McCabe's motto says "Victory or Death" so clearly we're not a group that favours shades of grey or a half-assed attitude.

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

Amazing story , amazing fighter and leader , very well told ….

[@peterjones7673]

Yet another cracking tale you have brought us of a totally unknown hero from our great rich military history. What a brave man whose exploits are simply amazing and as you said balls of steel. Thanks for bringing this hero to our attention.

[@kristianmoore6682]

You are remembered....couldn't of ended it better

[@badger688]

Picture of Sobraon Sergeant on your still, was friend of mine in the Queens Regiment, Bob Fisher RIP

[@Maverick0451]

Legendary!! Thank you very much for sharing this incredibly brave man’s story!!

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Any other stories you'd like to see me tell?

[@allanburt5250]

What a fella larger than life indeed, he saw some action did Bernard. These stories should be told and remembered about these individuals, remarkable man, thank you .

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it. Any other subjects or characters you'd like to see me cover?

[@allanburt5250]

@@redcoathistory more of the same, these stories are not told enough. Outside of Regimental history (although that's going as well sadly) or military books, we don't hear enough of these larger than life characters and campaigns. Cheers

[@FranciscoPreira]

Another greater story, this one I had some "lights" because I got those red coats on a diorama I made a couple of years ago about the Battle of Sobraon, great video mate thanks for sharing.

[@infantryricky6807]

It certainly was an honor to learn about this brave soldier! Great video, thanks for sharing it!

[@doylepeterjohn2]

One of life’s heroes,a truly remarkable brave man,a true leader he earned the respect of his men

[@ric6383]

Something that makes you proud to be British, and proud of our military history, you don't get to say that often these God forsaken days.

[@beachcomber1able]

Don't forget to vote Reform UK, @ric. 😏

[@beaglaoich4418]

Proud that at best the son of an immigrant or an immigrant to England himself from the empire was the one doing the hard graft to Britain’s benefit?

[@barnabyalsop5601]

Thanks for the excellent narration! Do you have any other videos on Redcoats in the Sikh wars? And if not, could you possibly make some, please?

[@redcoathistory]

Hi thanks a lot...re. Sikh wars - I have An entire series...Please have a butchers on my page - there is also a link in the description to this video.

[@SamPenny-f1q]

Hey @RedcoatHistory. Im sorry been watching your stuff for a while, i only just realised that i wasn't subscribed, yes you pop up on my feed that often. I like your Zulu war coverage, its a period that fascinates me, i love how ypu have moved on to mention the rankers, that so often win the battles.. please keep it up.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot mate. That is great to hear and makes it all worthwhile.

[@gerryhasell7828]

brilliant as usual

[@thehistoadian]

Legend

[@redcoathistory]

He certainly was. Any other interesting historical soldiers you'd be keen for me to talk about?

[@Conradt1996]

Great watch

[@camrenwick]

He should have been awarded the VC

[@redcoathistory]

Hi mate. In a later period he certainly would have done but the VC didn't exist at this point sadly.

[@millieannpage]

The tradition is still carried on in all battalions of the PWRR. I had the honour of being the 3rd Bn's Sobraon Sgt in 2004. As well as taking the colour into the WOs and Sgts Mess it involved the reading of the dispatches throughout dinner and a speech about Bernard Mc Cabe. A very proud tradition still continued today!

[@redcoathistory]

That's fantastic - it's great to hear that the tradition continues. Thanks a lot.

[@davepangolin4996]

The podcast on the AWI redcoats was excellent to listen to today whilst working ... Just what i had been waiting for 👍

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it mate. More to come on that. Next week there will be a video also.

[@andrewheaney6858]

The McCabe’s are an Irish family descended from the Gallowglass, the Gallowglass were the “foreign Gaels” that came from the Scottish Western Isles to Ireland to fight for Irish Chieftains against the Anglo/ Norman invaders and were called this due to there Gaelic/ Viking heritage, they had a fierce reputation of loyalty and fighting to the last man, eventually these warriors settled in Ireland

[@OscarGomez-hx8zc]

You are remembered…. Great way to finish the video!

[@hudsondonnell444]

The last I knew the Sobraon Ceremony is still carried out on the anniversary of the battle to this day.

[@mikegarvey718]

Never heard of Huntingdonshire, I knew Oliver Cromwell was from Huntingdon Cambs though.

[@abrahammorrison6374]

Do a video on scout Billy Green in the War of 1812. Green was mentioned in songs by Stan Rogers and George Fox.

[@redcoathistory]

Will look him up - thanks.

[@abrahammorrison6374]

@@redcoathistory Listen to both songs about Billy Green.

[@abrahammorrison6374]

@@redcoathistory 1813 Battle of Stoney Creek was the battle in which Scout Billy Green lead the way. Two US Generals were captured. Listen to both Billy Green songs by Stan Rogers and George Fox.

[@michaelcouzens5633]

I'm new to this channel & it's well presented & I love any thing military and a lot of ya content is new to me so,I've got my brew now for a binge hour, ooo hob nobs

[@redcoathistory]

Top man - welcome! Any other stories you'd like me to tell here?

[@madmick9205]

Now I too will remember.

[@petezero4840]

Great video

[@manuelfrancisco4171]

Great channel. I am from Spain and I would like to know about sir John Moore and the British retreat from La Coruña. Thank for teaching us about British history

[@redcoathistory]

Gracias! I have done a video on the retreat to Corunna. Please have a look in my Peninsular War playslist. Its a little old now though so I should do something new...My dream is to come and visit the battlefields.

[@hound3000]

One question: How does he carry those heavy balls of steel around? I'm sure the soldiers served under him respected him a lot.

[@Dave062YT]

War ,what is it good for ?............Content.Great stuff.

[@jackkelly335]

Arthur Wellesley liked to surround himself and consult with a cadre of fellow Irish officers and men.

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

To be honest, its the Sergeants who win EVERY war.

[@johnfisk811]

Huntingdonshire did not have the Rutland Liberation front and political will of Rutland which still exists as Britains smallest county even though smaller than Huntingdonshire was.

[@AR-ov2nr]

Good story, thankyou....

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Excellent snippet of some lesser known Redcoat history. So much to learn. Thanks Christian. By the way, what's that little tune at the beginning? I hear it as the theme tune on another channel (Sharks Happen). 🤔

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate - glad you enjoyed it! I don't know the tune as its one of the free ones we can use from the KZbin audio library. Have a great week mate!

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@@redcoathistory Ah I see. That explains why I've heard the tune on different channels. You too!!

[@Machalovich]

Wouldnt "the latter" in Mrs Ingles' piece be referring to Edmonstone? Which would also make sense as the she refers to mentions that its with 3 men of the 32nd which is his unit too.

[@redcoathistory]

You could be right mate - would have to check the source again. But McCabe was also 32nd.

[@geraintthatcher3076]

Enjoyed this cheers 🍻

[@redcoathistory]

Thank you! Cheers mate. As you can see, that guy who posted the pic on twitter had just randomly lifted it from the wrong battle and had no idea what he was talking about. . .

[@geraintthatcher3076]

@redcoathistory lol I did wonder 😂

[@dipakgurung8602]

I m sure Gurkhas were there in the Native Infantry Battalion too.

[@Kira-Namida]

As in Gerry from On Table Top? If so, the Internet gets smaller every year.😂

[@hardeepsingh-sg2kz]

Spare a thought for our brave Sikh Khalsa soldiers fighting under deceitful generals who were sell outs. They were brave and hard as nails too !

[@redcoathistory]

Fair point. I have nothing but respect for them.

[@ancienttimes3773]

Long live the king!

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

Chris, you are a born storyteller. Now, a perhaps silly but obvious question: Why was Bernard McCabe not awarded a posthumous VC? Regards from Buenos Aires.

[@redcoathistory]

Thankyou, Sir. It's a good question. For his exploits during the Anglo-Sikh war it was before the existance of the VC, as for at Lucknow that is tricky and I can't say. I guess it was felt his actions, while brave, didn't warrant the award?

[@Gerrcinn]

the VC wasn't made a posthumous award until a few years later

[@exsubmariner]

No mention of a Victoria cross then. They had just been introduced surely one of his single actions

[@Gerrcinn]

they weren't awarded posthumously at that time you had to be alive to receive it

[@buckgulick3968]

By any chance is the infamous "Outram Road" in Singapore (ww2 Prison) named after the same General Outram mentioned in this story?

[@robertkitson1935]

The sergeant featuring and giving the commentary in the BBC iPlayer film was the late WO1(RSM)Bob Fisher who served with 1 Queen's and 5th Queen's for over 40 years kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIbTkGeKgM9kmKM

[@V.B.Squire]

Who was it that said Britains best soldiers are always Irish?

[@redcoathistory]

I don't know. But during the Napoleonic and to a slightly less degree the Victorian era it certianly had a ring of truth.

[@cambs0181]

The Irish!

[@silverjohn6037]

How a sergeant won a war in the thumbnail. Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?

[@knutclau705]

What film are the movie scenes in the background from? Interested german reenactor...

[@redcoathistory]

Hi, it's called The relief of Lucknow - its on KZbin if you search it.

[@knutclau705]

@@redcoathistory tapad leath! Reemacted the ACW as a 79th NY Cameron for ca 15 years and had as a pun aquired all the Crimean war medals (an original 79th one with aa' the bars to it!) and the mutiny medal, so as to pose as a highland veteran, showing off "captured" cossack shaskas and indian scimitars to beef up the tales of the heroic feats of the Cameron men! Worked really well... Once telling how Waterloo was like (referring to the 1995 reenactment) I was asked wether I was REALLY there!? Nothing beats a good story...

[@HarryPrimate]

Makes me wonder if he may have been the inspiration behind the fictional character Richard Sharpe.

[@redcoathistory]

He was an amazing man but re Sharpe - No...there were plenty of real-life Sharpe's in the Napoleonic wars that would have been a closer comparison. Thanks for the comment and I hope you enjoyed the vid.

[@tomtaylor6163]

Hey Chris . I’m confused about how you Redcoats organize your forces. So if someone joins the Army in say London, they can be a member of say a Highland outfit or whatever? Is it like what we have in the States where we have regular Army and then we have various State outfits like the Texas National Guard ? I’m guessing nowadays the names are simply for tradition like we have in our Army . I can’t really imagine a Londoner who isn’t Scottish wanting to be in the Black Watch. Lol

[@aidenmyatt6842]

If a Scotsman joined the ranks in London back then he would have joined one of the London regiments. Regiments had their own recruiters who I doubt would let a hardy Jock slip through their fingers.

[@aidenmyatt6842]

I'm guessing there's alot more freedom of movement now.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi mate - do you mean now or then? Either way certain regiments would/will focus on recruits from certain areas though I don't beleive there is any formal bar on anyone applying for any regiment (except the Gurkhas!). If you are from London but want to join the Royal Regiment of Scotland then I think you can but you'd probably have to work very hard to fit in - usually I think you'd want a family connection or similar. For example my local regiment would be the Royal Anglian Regiment but if I fancied the Rifles or even the Yorskhires then I think it wouldn't be a problem. In the old days recruiting parties would trek around the country and try and recruit wherever they could - Ireland was a hotspot for recruiting even for English regiments due to poverty etc.

[@tomtaylor6163]

@@redcoathistory Thank you. We do have historical outfits to this day like the 7th Cavalry which was Custer’s Regiment at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. 10th Mountain Division famous in WW2 in Europe and many other units. But nothing based on just regional stuff like the British Army. I can’t imagine any proper Englishman wanting to hang around a bunch of smelly Scots all day. We do have Reserve and Guard units based on States. But in the Regular Army they just send you wherever they deem necessary

[@IZonKnowww]

Is this Mc.Cabe one of the officer that was send to lushai hills during the 1890s?

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks for the comment but if you watch the film it will answer your question 👍

[@IZonKnowww]

A guy name McCabe was also written in our history book, one of the officers of east india company​@@redcoathistory

[@williamwatkinson1696]

Why the assumption that nobody has heard of him

[@krisendicott2306]

What would this book be called?? Please

[@Gerrcinn]

the book is a short pamphlet called "More than twice a hero" by J W Sewell

[@davidprobert168]

🇬🇧💜🙏

[@jackkelly335]

As brave as the Irish were they still couldn't get the genocidal English out of all of the 32 counties of Ireland.

[@Skipper.17]

And no V.C

[@millieannpage]

Just before the VC was started, I believe.

[@Gerrcinn]

@@millieannpage no there was a VC but it wasn't awarded posthumously at that time, a officer who went out on the last sortie with mcCabe was awarded it.

[@DaveSCameron]

If he’s not Scouse then hes defo got Liverpool running through his veins…. or had, of course. #ScousersRanEverything

[@jackoshea7668]

As they say, Liverpool is the capital of Ireland ☘️

[@jamiemacgregor1602]

It’s Scotish not Irish .

[@redcoathistory]

What is?

[@dejavoue88]

But what his pronouns, did he have some safe space to go and find his inner being,did that colour clash with his eyes,and I do hope he was a vegan..gosh I have teary eyes now just thinking about my makeup running in that heat . And is the future of our forces...FFS

[@dave8323]

I'm struggling not to hate the presenter, and failing. I can't watch this

[@brianreed5839]

And the British were pissed because the Sikhs had the audacity to be, what, brown?

[@redcoathistory]

Lucklily for you mate I have an entire series on the Anglo-Sikh wars - have a look and maybe you'll rethink your ideas.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Great video

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot.