The Last Battle of the British Redcoats - Battle of Ginnis, Sudan 1885

[@UncleNez]

My great grandfather served with the Yorkshire Regiment at Ginnis (I have his Khedive Star) and it is really great to see an in depth look at this rarely mentioned battle.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing story of your great grandfather

[@duncanbaillie8721]

There’s a film called ‘The 4 Feathers’ I’m sure it’s set in the same battle , it’s a long winded movie but has an short intense battle scene on this

[@forgive7449]

@@duncanbaillie8721 white man has guns.....black man has spears....just saying

[@samrodian919]

@@forgive7449 then they shouldn't have joined should they?

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

@@forgive7449 The black men had guns as well, as can be seen in this video.

[@RobertMiller-ye9hm]

I love this channel on the British army in the late 1800s . My Great Grandfather died in 1975 he was 99 yrs . I as a teenager visited him with my Grandfather most Saturday mornings , he would tell me stories about his uncle’s who served over in Sudan and against the Zulus . It was fascinating at the time sitting listening to his memories. It to this day has given me this interest in our British military history.

[@Laconic1]

Dont forget to document those stories somewhere!

[@RobertMiller-ye9hm]

@@Laconic1 Thankyou I definitely will

[@cerxusinvellum2289]

@@RobertMiller-ye9hm yes please write them down somewhere other than youtube comments they deserve to be remembered

[@RobertMiller-ye9hm]

@@cerxusinvellum2289 thanks for your advice I did a couple weeks ago into a diary. Glad you gave me that advice my friend.

[@simonlaw9234]

Uncles

[@thomaspierce3650]

Even though I am an American I do so love the history of the British Army and the Royal Navy. I am so happy I came across this channel.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying.

[@NobleKorhedron]

Salisbury became the Prime Minister, ​@@TheHistoryChap? I thought Disraeli took over when Gladstone fell around this time...? 🤔

[@barrywebber100]

You are a brilliant historical story teller. That was very enjoyable with the wonderful military artworks. Thanks for posting.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you, thanks.

[@simondinsdale9205]

This is my favourite part of British military history. That transition from red tunics to khaki drill, the single shot martin henry to the Lee Metford in just a few years. You are a wonderful entertaining speaker.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Simon, thank you for your kind words. Glad you are enjoying my stories.

[@nathanappleby5342]

What a final hurrah to the redcoat as a whole and in a very fitting way. The way he fought the battle, I can see why Grenfell was a member of the Wolseley ring. Just as the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir went the way Wolseley had planned it, the Battle of Ginnis went the way Grenfell had planned it. Wolseley would have been proud. For those viewers of this channel who watched the video on the Battle of Balaclava, at that battle, the British replused a Russian cavalry charge not with a traditional square but in a straight line with concentrated rifle fire. They did the same thing 31 years later at Ginnis against infantry and it worked as well. Prussian Army chief of staff Helmuth von Moltke once said, "No plan survives beyond contact with the enemy". On the most part he was right but in such instances as Tel-el-Kebir and Ginnis, that was not the case and thankfully everything went according to plan. Chris, am I to understand there will be a video on the Battle of Toski because if there is I look forward to it not just because Grenfell fought it but also of Kitchener's part in it. Also, the battle proves Douglas Haig's belief the Egyptians could become good soldiers.

[@TheHistoryChap]

There will be one about Toski but it will be later in the year. Some other topics I want to cover next.

[@mattharcla]

Marlborough is said to have pointed at a map during a Jacobite debouche' and said; ''You will beat them here.'' And they did. Then, there was the magnificent Monash...

[@nathanappleby5342]

@@mattharcla What about Monash?

[@Outlier999]

Certain adjustments had to be made, but they were very minor.

[@jamesrundell7191]

@@nathanappleby5342no

[@allanchurm]

i do so love the way you tell these history stories ..thank you very much

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thank you for your kind words.

[@mpersad]

Another fascinating, and superbly illustrated video with archive photos and prints. Thank you, a really excellent video, again!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@josemauriciosaldanhaalvare1507]

Great video, congratulations. I didn't know about this battle in the Mahdist war and, in particular, the final use of the red coat. In fact, the red coat is iconic and a symbol of the courage of the British soldier.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.

[@MrKato88]

Yet another great video, well researched and expertly delivered. A real pleasure to listen to.

[@TheHistoryChap]

That's very kind of you. Thanks.

[@theodoresmith5272]

@@TheHistoryChap I thought the first boer war was the last the British fought in red.

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

You have described Chris' videos and style perfectly. I think he is, by far, the best presenter of military subjects in the English-speaking world.

[@captainsensiblejr.]

PPP 0

[@ChapelEndJunctionUK]

Wish I could have had a history teacher like you but that was a long long time ago , keep them coming .

[@TheHistoryChap]

I will indeed. Thanks for your kind comment.

[@郑颍]

@@TheHistoryChap I do not know if you are indeed a teacher of history in a school or university but I admire your energy and enthusiasm as an historian.

[@stephencope7178]

Our history teacher was a total bore. He would ramble on, then tell us to make notes, while he sat and picked his nose!! 🤔

[@phann860]

No way could a history teacher do this today. The left would sack him straight away for the sins of colonialism etc. Saying that I had history teachers who actually taught history and not the socialist crap nowadays.

[@11buster1000]

Storytelling is a dying art. Thanks mate for keeping it alive.

[@TheHistoryChap]

That's a very kind comment. Thank you.

[@Lassisvulgaris]

I can also recommend thehistorysquad's channel. A very competent story teller....

[@tomhaylock1834]

Thank you for keeping our history and heritage alive.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure

[@limjamrace]

This guy makes for such good listening..All such clarity and understanding of it all..Such an intersting part of British history as well

[@TheHistoryChap]

David, thank you for your kind comment.

[@dylanbuffenbarger8557]

I’m an American living in the UK and love your channel. Could you look into doing an episode on the RAF Eagle Squadrons, Prince Phillip’s Naval career, or Americans who served in commonwealth armies during the World Wars?

[@chrisholland7367]

Apart from the R.A.F.did, Americans fight with the British commonwealth before the American government declared war on Japan .

[@barryj388]

@@chrisholland7367 They absolutely did. I see an estimate of about 9,000 Americans serving with Canadian Forces in WWII. It was apparently far more than that in WW1.

[@elwolf8536]

That would be interesting!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Dylan, thanks for the suggestions. I will add to my list of future projects.

[@margaretkairu7418]

sir,you have outdone yourself once again. i really do admire your work.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks for your support

[@margaretkairu7418]

it was gladly given.

[@magnushorus5670]

I could listen to this man talk for hours, thank you for sharing this good sir

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure.

[@janlindtner305]

Can hardly wait for the next section, thanks for this one!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Next one should be out by the end of this week.

[@jameshirt6010]

I really enjoy listing to this guy's description of historical battles. Thanks.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure.

[@anglo4906]

Great video thank you, hope you had a nice christmas/new year.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Yes, I had a lovely Christmas. Happy New Year to you too.

[@rodeastell3615]

Thank you for video ... the usual excellent content and presentation. A battle of which I had never heard .. until now.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@Edwin6932]

Incredible work I can’t get enough

[@haydenrussell8764]

Great job again Chris. I look forward to your next episode. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it. The next video should be out later this week. Keep your eyes peeled.

[@olafsigmundson2167]

Very well presented. Most enjoyable. Thank you

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching. I Appreciate it.

[@simplyphil.photography164]

Cannot wait for the next episode, thanks chris

[@TheHistoryChap]

It is a really fun and slightly sad story. Should be out at the end of this week.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Chris, bloody excellent story, had me rivetted to my chair, Cheers

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks for watching

[@chrishamilton2527]

Super interesting, Chris. You have a way to bring these events to life. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@jfh9219]

I had totally forgotten about this. Thank you for bringing me back down memory lane. Great video!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@tomtaylor6163]

Interesting story. On a side note ,I’ve heard that one of the reasons that they liked the red uniforms was that it made it harder for the enemy to count the size of the British forces. Seems that red appears as a large red blob at a distance .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Tom, thanks for sharing that interesting observation.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

The rank and file certainly liked the red uniforms - it was a hit with the ladies!

[@Lassisvulgaris]

@@Wotsitorlabart Probably why many regiments still have red as their mess dress....

[@mitchellsmith4690]

It was actually the cheapest dye at the time it was adopted.

[@warrenmilford6848]

Wouldn't the, harder to count the enemy and large coloured blob concepts, equally apply to uniforms that were blue, green or black? (Ed- especially at a distance)

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

The reorganization and improvement of the Egyptian forces by the British is nothing short of remarkable. The Egyptian forces that would go on to reconquer Sudan in the Second Invasion were as different as Night and Day from those that had been massacred under Hicks Pasha at the start of the Mahdist crisis.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Absolutely agree. They played a key role at Omdurman under Hector MacDonald too.

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

@@TheHistoryChap very much so!

[@Beefy5039]

Another bloody rabbit hole....

[@chrisgatehouse6842]

I had a lot more added to my comment below but was lost somehow. Anyway, thanks for another great video Chris. Teaching history has changed over time, my mother who is 87, said she was bored at school as they only taught about UK dates and places. My generation, were taught about a restricted time period in more detail (Tudors and Stuarts). If, like me, you were interested in World or European history, (no internet back then), you had to buy a book!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

I subscribed to a magazine series called “The British Empire”. Lots of colourful pictures!

[@neilpage901]

I knew nothing of this so I found it most interesting. Really well researched and narrated again.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Neil, thank for your kind comment. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

[@davidnewzealand6807]

Thanks again Chris for a thorough and entertaining history lesson. I love watching your videos. Well done, and look forward to the next. 👏

[@TheHistoryChap]

Really kind of you. Thanks

[@kingjoe3rd]

Fantastic as always, Chris! I've been following your Gordon saga for a while, and I recently watched a documentary about Gordon narrated by Robert Hardy that really put the man in the perspective for me and made me realize that Gordon and TE Lawrence were basically the same man, but just lived at different times.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very interesting point about Gordon and Lawrence. I do want to do a video about Lawrence but it will have to wait a while. Thanks for watching my videos.

[@normtrooper4392]

The redcoat is an enduring symbol. Even in the most outlandish victorian sci fi, be it on the surface of Mars or the depths of space, the flag of the empire is always flown by the march of the redcoat

[@TheHistoryChap]

I love that description of British redcoats on Mars. Thanks for sharing

[@Andrew-yl7lm]

@@TheHistoryChap It'll even be camouflaged on mars haha

[@jamesbishop4635]

Nice one Chris. Thanks, as ever wonderfully presented.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for your support.

[@whitewinederarck2253]

Thank you Chris. Absolutely enthralled by the style and content of your excellent work. I hope that you reach a far greater audience, especially the young . Derek.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks for your support.

[@stigg333]

Fantastic interesting video as usual, thank you very much and stay well.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your ongoing support.

[@darrenmarsh8830]

Another riveting presentation, thankyou once again.

[@TheHistoryChap]

very kind of you. Thanks.

[@ianknight2053]

Excellent story telling Chris, thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it

[@eliottsantos2654]

Another fantastic video. Congratulations.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you very much!

[@robertcorradi8573]

Brilliantly described and illustrated...

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed.

[@derin111]

These videos get better and better!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind, thanks.

[@giovannirivoira5496]

Extremely interesting!the Mahdist wars have Always been for me exciting.Heroes like General Gordon or Fred Burnaby,Wolseley,Grenfell deserve always the greatest admiration...Thank you so much for this wonderful program!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. A few more to come including the defeat of Hicks Pasha and the Fashoda Incident.

[@giovannirivoira5496]

@@TheHistoryChap Thank you.I look forward with great interest!

[@jboydayz]

I really love watching your videos, especially the redcoats, this later era redcoat uniforms are my favourite uniforms ever too.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I'm glad that you are enjoying my videos. Thanks for watching.

[@robertcottam8824]

What a wonderfully-engaging storyteller you are.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Great telling of these obscure battles.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you. I am glad that you are enjoying them.

[@hernandocanardo4346]

Excellent and thoughtful ,as always!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks for watching.

[@joeritchie4554]

Another awesome video. Love the interesting history.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying. Thanks for your support

[@jameswatters9592]

Really enjoyed that and I'm looking forward to the next one, thankyou

[@TheHistoryChap]

Hoping to get it out by the end of the week.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thanks for covering Ginnis . Very interesting and informative.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@billballbuster7186]

Another great history lesson, thank you Chris.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very welcome

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

Never heard of this one! Good drop!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Appreciated.

[@davidmay8818]

Fascinating,and so well told !!

[@yammo12]

love your story's keep them coming

[@TheHistoryChap]

Will do. Thanks for your support.

[@stefanluciw8023]

Great content....Loved it..👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you.

[@josephfeeley3476]

Great post young man!!! Well delivered!!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure

[@edthilenius7530]

Another example of your fantastic skills! Excellent job!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it

[@charleswilson9885]

Brilliant video again thank you H C.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for your support

[@tacraling]

I knew nothing at all about that battle. Many thanks for a great and informative video.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@outpostraven]

Never heard these details before. Thanks!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure

[@SmokinLoon5150]

Excellent bit of information. Much appreciated.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure

[@lindaplatts7064]

Well Chris, what another great story, I could listen too you all day long , now I finally know when the British army changed from the famous red coats to karki, thanks as always,👍👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@lucianemanuel651]

Great video and he still have time to answer comments!

[@TheHistoryChap]

I try my best, even though it takes well over an hour every single day.

[@Joxer1875]

I'm a historian and author based in Scotland, loving your videos, as I've been laid up after an operation, thank you. give me an email if you ever want to do some joint videos about the Jacobite wars UK and Ireland. BTW I'm pretty sure the tiny band of British troops who helped defend the foreign legations in Peking in 1900 wore red, as they were only supposed to be there for ceremony All the best

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

Passed you on to a friend, love your videos Chris you are the type of history teacher my husband should have had. Thank you and Happy Easter.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for all of your support.

[@chrisinfidel]

Superb Doc. as ever!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you

[@pabmusic1]

First class, as ever. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed. Plenty more coming your way.

[@chrisholland7367]

Another great presentation 👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you very much

[@wattyler9806]

My great grandfather was killed at the battle of ginnis. He was camping in the next field and he went over to complain about the noise.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for that tit bit.

[@michealmatthews9377]

great story, i would love to see you cover the battle of bolougne 1940, its a barely known battle overshadowed by the evacuation of dunkirk.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Great suggestion. I will add to my list. Please subscribe so you don't miss it.

[@michealmatthews9377]

my father was taken pow at the battle he was a guardsman.

[@fredazcarate4818]

Sir I fully agree with your ending statement. No pun intended, it was a direct hit on the target. And I enjoyed your mini documentary thoroughly. It is a brilliant bit of work. Kudos! I can not wait for the next morsel . God bless you Sir.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks for all of your support. Have a great week.

[@joelgoldberg3019]

This is a fabulous channel.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my videos.

[@davidcarr7436]

Good old Garnet Wolseley; kicking butt and taking names from Canada to the African continent. A couple of places as well as a major street in my hometown of Winnipeg, are named for him. As well as the "Viscount" hotel (not entirely sure of that). Love your stuff.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and I’m glad that you are enjoying too!

[@Wotsitorlabart]

AW Hainsworth of Stanningley, Pudsey in West Yorkshire supplied the woolen cloth that was used to manufacture uniforms worn at Trafalgar, Waterloo and at the Charge of the Light Brigade. They continue to supply the cloth for the Guards Regiments and the Royal Family's ceremonial uniforms. Perhaps those scarlet tunics at Ginnis were made of Hainsworth's Yorkshire woolen cloth.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for sharing that information. Good to hear that they are still going strong.

[@coult001]

Thanks again for a wonderfull story, I found background info in my militairy encyclopedium from Dupuy & Dupuy. I cant do without it..! Regards, Paul Le Coultre.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@free_gold4467]

More fantastic content, thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@eugenespicer3272]

My wife was looking up her family's history and found that her grandfather tried to enlist in the US Army in 1916 at the age of 41. They rejected him for his age, so he went to Canada and joined. He had emigrated from England so they sent him to England in the mounted infantry, later called the 14th regiment of foot. Not sure what action he saw, but I think he got some awards. He later was sent to the heavy artillery. He ended up serving 7 years. Not bad for an old man

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the tie to share our family story

[@stuartmiller8053]

Happy new year. Good work keep them coming please

[@TheHistoryChap]

Will do. Loads planned for this year

[@stevemartin8003]

Awesome, very interesting thanks... Keep them coming please.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Will do. Plenty planned for the coming months

[@amotaba]

Excellent video! You could make a video about the Fashoda Incident, did it really almost lead to a war between Britain and France?!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Ha ha, Fashoda is on my list. I will return to Kitchener's Sudan campaign later this year.

[@ashrafnouman8010]

Thank you for putting the right map of Sudan this time 🇸🇩🇬🇧

[@TheHistoryChap]

Happy that you are happy

[@reynardthefox]

another great story...well told ...

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Aramis419]

7:36 - you played that off incredibly well. I’m not nearly as well-composed!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Lucky I didn’t swear! 😂

[@Aramis419]

@@TheHistoryChap At a university conference, I flubbed one of my lines, and I, indeed, did swear. To get back on track, I said, "To quote Billy Joel whenever he messes up, "Well, that was a real rock n' roll f**k up."" to uproarious laughter. If you hadn't taken that breath to recover, I'd never have noticed!😄

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

The fact that this is very similar to the famous Irish beer definitely makes sense in this context. Because the Mahdists were drinking heavy blood from their losses. This seems like a forecast of Omdurman.

[@TheHistoryChap]

The battle of Toski was also a heavy defeat for them in 1889

[@kennethrollo7891]

Every time i listened to stories of the sudan campaigns, i can't help thinking of corporal jones in dads army

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@davidcollins2648]

Were the Grenfell towers which tragically burned named after our illustrious general? thanks again for a wonderful video. It's these smaller events that really add the continuity in history between the large and familiar ones. Cheers.

[@TheHistoryChap]

David, they were named after the nearby Grenfell Road (avenue?) which in tunr was named after this general.

[@kooperativekrohn819]

Been watching alot of this lately ! A world war 1 series covering their african campaign by you would be awesome mate ! Keep it up

[@TheHistoryChap]

See my response to your comment on the Majuba video.

[@kooperativekrohn819]

@@TheHistoryChap will look mate cheers

[@MarkDenson-ld8bf]

Another very interesting video Thank you

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks, pleased you enjoyed it.

[@russbarker2727]

Thank you for that Sir. A great story.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching

[@gregoryvigneault1824]

Wow a battle between a professional and revolutionary armys which actually went how it was expected

[@TheHistoryChap]

I don’t tell many of those stories 🤣

[@tutnallman]

splendid! I am sure that we have met in the past...................................

[@TheHistoryChap]

Who knows 😀

[@paulwilson7234]

Excellent video 📹 👌

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks.

[@jonmeek3879]

Great job !

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching

[@warrenmilford6848]

It must have been a huge saving to the British government to change to khaki uniforms, and generally pith helmets. Imagine the cost of the old ones, with each regiment having different piping, buttons and sometimes headgear, as well as those really flash, but intricately stylized cavalry uniforms. The older stuff would have cost a fortune in comparison to the khaki.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts

[@AbsurdityViewer]

excellent presentation; kudos

[@ljchampion7952]

I’d have been gutted if I’d have been in the Durham light infantry with everyone else in the red coats! Like turning up to school in uniform on non uniform day because you forgot! Great video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Ha ha. Great comparison.

[@jamesbrennand9436]

There are a lot small battles down through the centuries that was fought but lost and forgotten to history and time

[@TheHistoryChap]

Indeed there are.

[@formwiz7096]

Love the pronunciations - Berkshire becomes Barkshire and Durham becomes Darham, nice turn of phrase at the end. Question, do your stories include the East India Company or do you just stick to the British Army?

[@TheHistoryChap]

I am looking to cover East India Company campaigns (well some of them) this year. Please make sure that you subscribe so you don't miss them.

[@philhawley1219]

Formwiz. It's ow yer tork Inglish propper.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

formwiz Durham's Durham in Yorkshire!

[@Lassisvulgaris]

@@philhawley1219 Lake thet...?

[@auldflyer]

Absolutely brilliant narative.......

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks Alan.