"Some Talk of Alexander....."

Whilst out walking the dog in the crisp late Autumn sunshine, I was merrily whistling "A British Grenadier" to myself when suddenly I thought of an idea for a post - so here it is!

As far as I am able, from my various wargames collections, here are examples of British Grenadiers throughout the ages. Unfortunately, my War of Spanish Succession collection contains no Brits - which is ironic given the stated origins of the tune below -  I was tempted to substitute some Dutch or Danes in their stead, but resisted the urge to "cheat"!

Interspersed between the images are the five verses of the famous song, preceded by a brief historical overview, courtesy of Prof Wikipedia.....

"The following text is the most well-known version of the song. The text arguably dates back to the War of Spanish Succession (1702–1713), since it refers to the grenadiers throwing grenades (a practice that proved to be too dangerous and was ended soon afterwards,) and the men wearing "caps and pouches" (i.e. the tall grenadier caps, worn by these elite troops, and the heavy satchel in which grenades were carried) and "loupèd clothes"- coats with broad bands of 'lace' across the chest that distinguished early grenadiers."

Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules

Of Hector and Lysander, and such great names as these.

But of all the world's brave heroes, there's none that can compare.

With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, to the British Grenadiers.

Front Rank Grenadiers from my earliest British Army - French and Indian Wars 

Two units of Minifigs were pressed into service for this campaign - these were repainted around 1995 but had been purchased 15-20 years earlier, probably at 10 or 12p each!

More Front Rank Grenadiers - I remember our good friend Mark Strachan who ran a business manufacturing Front Rank under license in New Zealand, had a 40% off deal on this FR range at the time and I think I bought the whole army - each Btn only consisted of 12 figures - for around $60-$70 NZ

Those heroes of antiquity ne'er saw a cannon ball,

Or knew the force of powder to slay their foes withal.

But our brave boys do know it, and banish all their fears,

With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers.

My second British army was for the American War of Independence - Front Rank again

Wellington in India circa 1795-1805 - Grenadiers in fur crested Round hats by Redoubt

Peninsula Napoleonic British grenadier companies - Front Rank and Old Glory

War of 1812/Waterloo British Grenadiers - Old Glory Second Edition

Grenadiers of the Scots Battalion of the British Auxiliary Legion, Carlist War in Spain, 1830 - Perry Miniatures

Whene'er we are commanded to storm the palisades,

Our leaders march with fusees, and we with hand grenades.

We throw them from the glacis, about the enemies' ears.

With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, the British Grenadiers.

Grenadier company of a Highland Regiment - Indian Mutiny 1857 - Old Glory 

Grenadiers of a British Line Regiment during the Crimean War

by Ebor

Grenadiers during the "High" Colonial era - India, Afghanistan or South Africa, take your pick - Old Glory figures again

And when the siege is over, we to the town repair.

The townsmen cry, "Hurrah, boys, here comes a Grenadier!

Here come the Grenadiers, my boys, who know no doubts or fears!

Then sing tow, row, row, row, row, row, the British Grenadiers.

Grenadiers towards the end of the Colonial Empire - North West Frontier, Afghanistan, The Sudan or Boer War. Old Glory figures

The Guards Camel Corps in the Sudan - some of them must have been GRENADIER Guards! These are also Old Glory figures

Grenadier Guards during WW2 - 20mm figures by Valiant Miniatures with an Armourfast Cromwell tank

Right up to date - Grenadier Guards in Iraq or Afghanistan - various 20mm manufacturers including Elheim 

Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health of those

Who carry caps and pouches, and wear the loupèd clothes.

May they and their commanders live happy all their years.

With a tow, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers."