Imagine being a senior officer who has never seen service or completed any training. In fact your only qualification is a fat wallet.
To our modern sensibilities and belief in meritocracy it sounds mental. But was it? Today we are looking at the British army’s purchase system - what was it? How did it work and did it lead to an army commanded by rich nit-wits?
Thanks to Dr Chris Brice for researching and co-writing today's episode. His books can be found here: https://amzn.to/3HmTi2d
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
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For the Honour of the Regiment! The British army's unique regimental system
American Revolution: An Elite Regiment at War
American Revolution: Who were the Redcoats?
Zulu War: Did this Victoria Cross Hero Fake His Own Death? Captain Cecil D’Arcy VC
Who are Britain’s elite bearded pioneer sergeants?
Private Henry Hook VC - the true story behind the "bad lad" of Zulu
Colonial Marines: The escaped American Slaves who fought for Britain during the War of 1812
Indians in the Trenches: The Indian Corps on the Western Front 1914-15
Disaster!:The worst British defeats of the Victorian era...
Redcoats versus Samurais: The story of British troops in Japan during the 1860s
The Jameson Raid: Prelude to the 2nd Anglo-Boer War (walking the battlefield)
The Mini Rorke's Drift You've Never Heard of: Forgotten Sieges of the Basotho Gun War (1880-81)
The First Anglo-Boer War: A full documentary (1880-81)
The Forgotten Revolutionary War Campaign: The Siege of Pensacola 1781 (w/ Josh Provan)
From the Zulu War to the Somme: The incredible career of Tim Lukin
Fit to Command? British Regimental Leadership in the Peninsular War w/ Steve Brown
The Mazoe Patrol: A daring rescue in the Rhodesian bush (1896)
Allan Wilson - the Maverick who became a Victorian legend (Shangani Patrol, 1893)
Regimental Colours: What are they and why do they mean so much?
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