Nick Mansfield continues his social history of the rank and file soldiers of the British army in the nineteenth century.

This talk will discuss soldiers taking foreign service, often after deserting from the British army. Though often tolerated until the French Revolution and the rise of the nation state, from the 1790s such renegades often supported political change and even revolution and were anathema to the authorities. Such rebels though persisted into the Victorian period.

This colourful world will be explored through fascinating military characters. We will meet John Oswald, former officer of the 42nd Highlanders, turned French Revolutionary, who met his death serving against the Chouan royalist rebels in 1793. Colonel Edward Despard, former comrade in arms of Nelson, was hanged after trying to recruit guardsmen to overthrow the government in 1802. ‘Count’ Francis Maceroni, a Mancunian Italian, was commissioned by Murat, became a South American revolutionary General and attempted to ferment revolution in Britain in 1831. Renegades in imperial wars are also covered, like Sergeant Major Robert Nichol, who fought with the Indian Mutineers of 1857 and Private Kimble Bent, adopted by the Maori tribe he was fighting against in New Zealand.

All are welcome and a lively discussion is guaranteed!

Admission £4 per attendee

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