Thank you Mr. Chris for your wonderful channel, and for covering some parts of my country history Sudan (of course (the point of view of English historians). As much as we are proud of our Sudanese ancestors heroism who resisted the invaders, we also respect the history of some British officers such as Colonel Burnaby.
Thank you, Chris. These characters should be part of school curriculum - not just the Kings and Queen’s of the Realm or the few explorers. A larger than life character in every sense.
In the fifties and sixties we learned about these characters from kids books and the many comics, every adult was a veteran then,areal one who had seen battle. I had teachers who were veterans,postmen,window cleaners,dustmen,railwaymen.policemen,firemen,GPs,etc,etc, kids today could not imagine it.
The Four Feathers (2002 war drama) film directed by Shekhar Kapur and starring Heath Ledger, certainly gives a flavour of what such a film might be. Filming was cut short, for whatever reason and the grand finale (of sorts) ends up being the breaking of the square at Abu Klea.
I began watching your channel with videos about the Zulu wars. Your other videos have opened up a new and real period of history for me. Thank you! I look forward to each and every one.
as a sudanese person i love your videos man keep it up and one of my ancestors died in the battle of gallabat i would appreciate if you made a video about it once again you make some amazing content keep it up
Excellent video 📹 The way of the warrior Burnaby: the soldier who was on active duty only during his annual leave . Writing your narrative is important.
I think Fred Burnaby is the Christopher Lee of the 19th century. Burnaby spoke 7 languages, Lee was fluent in four, moderately proficient in three, both could speak English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian. Both saw military service and traveled to far places for adventure or work. Both were good fencers, Burnaby for the Army, Lee for the screen. Both also happened to be the same height ( Lee in his later years anyway ). They were entertainers in their own rights to many.
What a fantastic character! I travelled around Bangladesh some 40 years ago with a Anglo indian chap, his name was Larry Burnaby, perhaps the decendent of a distant relative, or not, but your video reminded me of him .
Harry BURNABY died on 30 March 1939 - Washington, D.C. (USA), aged 58 years old Married in 1929 to Kathleen McMICHAEL. While it's not clear if they had any children, during their 10 years of marriage, her name doesn't suggest any Indian origins. Any children they may have had, would be American citizens.
Chris, mate your story telling is brilliant. I was so enthralled that my coffee got cold. Thanks again, brilliant story and I remember Flashman having grown up in the UK, Cheers from Oz.
The link to Randolph Churchill wasn't missed. Winston certainly had a similar spirit. As for the poetry. McGonagall has a certain Manga charm to it. "... a spear through the jugular vein" Pure gold. 🥇 Thanks Chris. 👍👍👍👍👍
Before you got to far into the fantastic story and video, I did think this is the real life Flashman. Read all the Flashman books, loved them. When the shtf Flashman was not the coward he thought he was. Never heard of this wonderful man before your video, now I'll have to go looking into him. Thank you!
Dale, that's very kind of you. I'm looking to launch a specific podcast channel in the New Year. In the meantime, please make sure that you subscribe so you don't miss future stories.
I have a request if you find it interesting enough to make a video . One of my old regiments 'Gloucesters' and the battle of Alexandria 1801 and how they got their Back badge
Thank you for your great channel. My interest in this history began at the War Memorial to the Cameron Highlands Inverness who fought at Tel el Kabir and I began finding out about it and it opened a door to some great history.
Thankyou Chris for this wonderful channel. I love your inspiring method of storytelling and filling in the gaps of a bygone era. Much appreciated. Please keep the content going! 😊
A very interesting gentleman, thank you for the history of his life. My great grandfather was in Sudan at this time with the Scot’s guards and Gordon was remembered in the family by being the middle name of one of his children.
As i thought Burnaby was an incredible chap, who lived an incredible life, a great hero worthy of praise. Thank you Mr. Chris for sharing, best regards Merry Christmas and a Happy New year for you and your family, keep well.
Chris merry Christmas to you and your family. Its a massive thankyou for your tireless devoted passion to your channel. No one comes even close to deliver the story like you. Looking forward to 2023
Brigadier-General Sir Harry Paget Flashman VC KCB KCIE (1822-1915) had become a hero of the Victorian age fighting in wars all round the world, recieving many honours and much wealth, and meeting most of the famous people of the time.
Thanks Chris for the thrilling yarn, Colonel Burnaby certainly was one of life's great characters and at the start of the story I likened his looks certainly to Captain Harry Flashman and wondered if in some small way Burnaby was his inspiration. Thank you again for telling his story
A fascinating account. Poet? The Great McGonagall. Son of Dundee and auguste Poet Laureate of Burma (apparently). Another great character and legend. As a departure from matters military, a video on his life and achievements (or lack them) would be interesting.
Stories about the blitz would be would be nice. My brother-in-law's mother survived 3 days in a bombed out basement during the blitz she was just a little girl but she remembered it.
Chris, I've heard about the "Admin Box" in Burma, WW2 - but know very little about it. Perhaps there are a few anecdotes still around from this action against the Japanese? Anyway, love your channel and been a subscriber for a long time. Many thanks.
That was very inspiring thank you! I think more in depth profiles of fascinating individuals would be great material. Im guessing theres no shortage of these chara ters from the Victorian age. Thank you so much!
What an amazing life he led! Makes my trip hitch hiking down to Florida in 1969 seem tame by comparison. Now a story about his wife would also be interesting, she seems to have caught his adventurous zeal.
the flashman books are so well researched and written, reading the books in the appendices of these novels really increased my knowledge and respect for our forebears i truly recommend them
Excellent and thanks for your scholarship - a magnificent British story - not quite up there with Sir Adrian Paul Ghislain Carton de Wiart but what a life. Its something even today, to being born British - long live the King..
Please, please all read the 'Flashman' everything. None will ever regret the following absolutely excellent series. First introduced to it at a romote oasis in Morroco, back in the alternate 'Hippie' winter of 1969-1970, where a copy was left for 'toilet' paper for our small band of travelers. It was a hard run to read far enough head to keep up with others. Had adventues galore when I was 20 and 21 and a complete fool at the time. Leaves me marveling at the experience and content God allowed me full time to appreciate an interesting life.
Brilliant video lecture of true larger than life figure. And you are quite right, no pun intended, not many men are made like Barnaby. Thank you for producing another gem, and I eagerly await your next video lecture.
It's great to hear such a vivid retelling with new detail of an old story, a story I didn't set out to research, but one that just came to me in fragments over many years, starting in 1961. I was a 12-year-old schoolboy then, delivering newspapers in Greystones, County Wicklow, on the Burnaby, a rather grand pre-Independence housing estate. Some of the original inhabitants were still alive, retired British colonial officers/officials, still taking the Times, Telegraph, and the Financial Times. There was a Whitshed Road, a house named "Khiva" (which everybody pronounced "K-eye-va"), and the "Tel-el-Kebir Dairy". Over twenty years later, in Sudan, I found a copy of "The Ride to Khiva", and thus learned the central part of the story of Fred Burnaby's life; the book's introduction briefly mentioned his ultimate end at Abu Clea. And now, thanks to the History Chap, I learn more details of Burnaby's death, and that Whitshed Road is named for Mrs Burnaby's maiden name. And am prompted to look out for Burnaby's book on his trip to Turkey. If I may make a comment on Burnaby's writing, it is that he makes up with forthright gusto what he lacks in precision of thought and expression. Perhaps the later Harrovian, Winston Churchill, never lacking in gusto in his military journalism, was familiar with, and consciously improved upon, Burnaby's style of English prose writing.
An amazing and fascinating hero. One thing I take issue with is any implication that speaking 7 languages is a sign of intelligence. If you have the capacity to master one language, you have the capacity to master any language. We don’t because we don’t have the opportunity to use them, and those who do generally learn them. So it’s a sign of being able to travel more than of intelligence. But I’m still impressed this guy cared enough to bother. He’s a true hero. God bless him. Edit: mcgonagal was accurately described, wasn’t he?
His book, A Ride to Khiva is a travel classic. I bought a copy years ago and have read it several times since and it always puts a smile on my face. His death was as glorious as his life, a legend in every respect.
@@TheHistoryChap Mine is a reprint but I have a lot of Victorian volumes in my small, but cherished library, a few first editions, mainly about India, Ceylon and China. I went overland to India in 1972 and returned again and again and I lived in Ceylon for a few years in the early 1980's and then spent some time in Taiwan, in the 1990's. History was the only subject in school that interested me. I studied Modern European History (French Revolution to the Second World War and everything in between), which I thought was far more relevant that learning about the War of the Roses or how many wives Henry had, which I learned about later. I think it's a great pity that British Colonial History is not taught in schools, but there you are, it's a mad, mad world we live in today !
Hi Chris, I thoroughly enjoy your history UA-cam channel I think I've binged watched them all now. If I could suggest video on Noel Chavasse VC and Bar. The only double VC of WW1. What a fascinating and amazing chap he sounds. I saw his grave stone in Brandhoek cemetery a few years ago. Thanks.
A good tale. I cannot help but think that Burnaby's adventures and writings had a great influence upon a young Winston Churchill (b. 1874). He would have been a hero by alliance with Churchill's father (Lord Randolf) and especially by his pushing of the envelope. Soldier, journalist, traveler, author, politician. A pattern, methinks.
Love the videos History Chap. I'd like to hear about Mad Mitch-the 1st Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Forces under his command reoccupied the Crater district of Aden 1967.
Terence, it is on my list. On a lightly more quirky subject, I think a review of the military career of Lance Corporal Jones “Dads Army” might be fun too.
I first read about Burnaby whilst studying Victorian and Edwardian politics at university. He once stood as a candidate for the Conservatives, and single-handedly silenced several hecklers at a hustings by entering the crowd, silencing one with his fists, and forcefully seating two more with the words "you sit here, little man; and YOU, sit here, little man...."
A great video, and further proof if any was needed to show Lord Charles Beresford should never have been allowed any armed forces let alone in a position of command. An entire career spent trying to prevent reforms and engaging in personal disputes that cost the Empire dearly more than once!
Many years ago I bought his book but my version was titled the road to khiva this book had tissue page liners and I remember he slept with his pistol under his blanket . I lent this book out and never saw it again. There is a Burnaby street in the new kings road, London, maybe he lived thereabouts.
Really enjoying these tales from the Victorian era, looking forward to more. Just tried looking for some of Fred Burnabys writings.... bloody expensive.
@The History Chap could you do a video on something a bit different? The Eureka uprising in Australia. Still part of the Empire, and a tale that most outside of Australia would not know.
I will say that I am duly impressed by the taile of this larger-than-life man. You always seem to be able to find the most interesting characters in history and bring them to life. I laughed when I heard how he handled the hecklers in the audience. Now that is how you deal with stupid! LOL once again a masterpiece of showmanship, jolly good 👍
What an amazing man. Certainly a rare breed of person sadly missed in today's society. Great story.
Glad you enjoyed
They are still around, just suppressed by the goverment and ignored by the media.
Brian Blessed is a similar legend, and a man of significant stature
The Victorian era produced so many impressive and brave British patriots. This Burnaby fellow is new to me. I am familiar with the Bowlby family.
As the great Chuck D said,”don’t,don’t,Don’t believe the hype!
Thank you Mr. Chris for your wonderful channel, and for covering some parts of my country history Sudan (of course (the point of view of English historians).
As much as we are proud of our Sudanese ancestors heroism who resisted the invaders, we also respect the history of some British officers such as Colonel Burnaby.
Thanks for your kind comment.
I worked briefly in Khartoum about 10 years ago. Will never forget the hospitality of the Sudanese people that I met.
As another Sudanese,I have zero respect for these imperialist scumbags!Long live the Mahdi!
What a great character, thank you for bringing us his story.
Glad you liked it. More coming your way soon.
Thank you, Chris. These characters should be part of school curriculum - not just the Kings and Queen’s of the Realm or the few explorers. A larger than life character in every sense.
Chris, it would certainly make studying history more interesting (& probably more memorable too).
In the fifties and sixties we learned about these characters from kids books and the many comics, every adult was a veteran then,areal one who had seen battle. I had teachers who were veterans,postmen,window cleaners,dustmen,railwaymen.policemen,firemen,GPs,etc,etc, kids today could not imagine it.
It's just women, negroes and various low achieving rubbish nowadays I'm afraid :(
Thank you for this wonderful story. If only a feature film was made about this chap. What a moral booster, it could be for us.
It would make a great film. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
The Four Feathers (2002 war drama) film directed by Shekhar Kapur and starring Heath Ledger, certainly gives a flavour of what such a film might be. Filming was cut short, for whatever reason and the grand finale (of sorts) ends up being the breaking of the square at Abu Klea.
My absolute favourite channel, he was truly a great man and it's a shame we haven't these kind of men around now. Thanks for this and stay well.
Thanks for your unstinting support. Merry Christmas
Lord knows, we need a Colonel Frederick Burnaby now more then ever.
@@TheHistoryChap Merry Christmas to you and your family and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
This is easily the most informative and yet entertaining history channel on UA-cam
@@darrenmarsh88309 8
Holy cow larger than life indeed! A man like that makes me realize how little I’ve done with MY life, laughter! Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching my video
I began watching your channel with videos about the Zulu wars. Your other videos have opened up a new and real period of history for me. Thank you! I look forward to each and every one.
Cynthia, thanks for your support.
That was one of your best videos yet. What an amazing Victorian hero!
Very kind of you, thanks.
as a sudanese person i love your videos man keep it up
and one of my ancestors died in the battle of gallabat i would appreciate if you made a video about it
once again you make some amazing content keep it up
Thank you for your kind words.
Excellent video 📹
The way of the warrior
Burnaby: the soldier who was on active duty only during his annual leave .
Writing your narrative is important.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I think Fred Burnaby is the Christopher Lee of the 19th century. Burnaby spoke 7 languages, Lee was fluent in four, moderately proficient in three, both could speak English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian. Both saw military service and traveled to far places for adventure or work. Both were good fencers, Burnaby for the Army, Lee for the screen. Both also happened to be the same height ( Lee in his later years anyway ). They were entertainers in their own rights to many.
Nathan, yet another wonderful contribution to the comments section. Many thanks.
@@TheHistoryChap Your Welcome!
Almost the whole British acting proffesion was ex forces in Christopher Lee's time.
@@philiprufus4427 Wow!
I’d recommend the Flashman books to anyone. They’re great fun to read.
Thanks for another super video Chris!
Might do some talks about the events in the Flashman stories.
He should have a film made about him
The Russians were suspicious as to what he was up to.
Hollywood is too busy making crap Superhero movies
Wonderful, Chris. I knew a little of this man but you have filled in many gaps. Thank you!
My pleasure. Glad you found it useful.
What a fantastic character! I travelled around Bangladesh some 40 years ago with a Anglo indian chap, his name was Larry Burnaby, perhaps the decendent of a distant relative, or not, but your video reminded me of him .
Thanks for sharing your story about Larry Burnaby.
Harry BURNABY died on 30 March 1939 - Washington, D.C. (USA), aged 58 years old
Married in 1929 to Kathleen McMICHAEL. While it's not clear if they had any children, during their 10 years of marriage, her name doesn't suggest any Indian origins. Any children they may have had, would be American citizens.
The Brilliant Telling of a Great Man’s Story!!!!
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed my video.
Chris, mate your story telling is brilliant. I was so enthralled that my coffee got cold. Thanks again, brilliant story and I remember Flashman having grown up in the UK, Cheers from Oz.
Andrew thanks for your support. I hope you are a lot warmer in Oz than I am in the UK at the moment.
What an unbelievable story, thank you very much!
He makes Richard Branson look tame :)
Beautiful story sad ending but full of glory for england famous generals
Beautiful story sad
Sir
Always enjoy your description
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
The link to Randolph Churchill wasn't missed. Winston certainly had a similar spirit.
As for the poetry. McGonagall has a certain Manga charm to it.
"... a spear through the jugular vein"
Pure gold. 🥇
Thanks Chris. 👍👍👍👍👍
McGonagall's poetry is a bit like my attempts!
History Chap thank you for your diligent study of history and work on these great videos
Thanks for watching , glad you enjoyed my video
Chris , you bring history to life, compelling listening ! Thank you .
Thanks, glad you enjoyed my video.
It's just my opinion that this is the best British military history channel found on any platform
I will take that! Thank you.
Fantastic Story Brilliantly Told!!!
Thank you. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
This chap made Friday my favorite day of the week.Frankly,Chris Green is underated.
Very kind of you. Have a fantastic weekend
Thank you so much for another wonderful life story, superbly delivered, you take me back to those great times of empire when Britain was truly great 👍
Glad you enjoyed.
Another excellent video. Thank you.
My pleasure. Thank you for watching
Before you got to far into the fantastic story and video, I did think this is the real life Flashman. Read all the Flashman books, loved them. When the shtf Flashman was not the coward he thought he was. Never heard of this wonderful man before your video, now I'll have to go looking into him. Thank you!
My pleasure. Thank you for watching
As you said in your closing statement “ a legend” thank you again for another great and interesting video
Glad you enjoyed it.
I did not expect a William McGonagall cameo but that was honestly the cherry on top
Thanks for watching my video.
Love the channel and the podcast .. becoming one of my favourite history channels on here
Dale, that's very kind of you.
I'm looking to launch a specific podcast channel in the New Year.
In the meantime, please make sure that you subscribe so you don't miss future stories.
I have a request if you find it interesting enough to make a video . One of my old regiments 'Gloucesters' and the battle of Alexandria 1801 and how they got their Back badge
#Me Too
Getting a new episode every week is like a Christmas present for the mind. Can't wait for next week!
Very kind of you. Thanks for your support.
Without any doubt you have the best content on UA-cam
Jon, that is a very kind comment. Thank you.
Thank you for your great channel. My interest in this history began at the War Memorial to the Cameron Highlands Inverness who fought at Tel el Kabir and I began finding out about it and it opened a door to some great history.
Thanks for your kind words. Glad you are enjoying.
I’ve saved this one so that I get no interruptions. It was well worth the wait. What an amazing fella,they don’t make them like this anymore!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Fascinating. Thank you. Keep them coming !
Will do. Merry Christmas.
Thank you Chris. Can’t wait until your next video.
Glad you are enjoying. Thanks for your support.
Thankyou Chris for this wonderful channel. I love your inspiring method of storytelling and filling in the gaps of a bygone era. Much appreciated. Please keep the content going! 😊
Thanks for watching and I am glad that you are enjoying
Thank you lots for making this!
My pleasure.
Fantastic story! Thanks Chris! Commenting to appease the algorithm
Thanks for your support
A very interesting gentleman, thank you for the history of his life. My great grandfather was in Sudan at this time with the Scot’s guards and Gordon was remembered in the family by being the middle name of one of his children.
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
This was my first History Chap video and I enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you.
Excellent story, truly enjoyable, thank you!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
What a brilliant painting of Burnaby in the thumbnail.
Another wonderful story, thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching
As i thought Burnaby was an incredible chap, who lived an incredible life, a great hero worthy of praise. Thank you Mr. Chris for sharing, best regards Merry Christmas and a Happy New year for you and your family, keep well.
Francisco, thank you for your kind comment & your Christmas wishes. Likewise to you and your family.
Thank you so much for this Chris, now I have to read a good book on this giant of a man!
Glad you enjoyed.
One of the best channels I've stumbled across, love stuff like this, keep up the good work!
Thanks for your kind words.
McGonagall's poem hit me in the jugular vein of admiration
Laughing
Amazing real life story. Thank you for sharing. Keep these awesome, informative videos coming.
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching
You are a fascinating storyteller, this is great. Thank you!
My pleasure. Thank you for watching
Chris merry Christmas to you and your family. Its a massive thankyou for your tireless devoted passion to your channel. No one comes even close to deliver the story like you. Looking forward to 2023
Simon, very kind of you. Thanks for your support. Merry Christmas.
Brigadier-General Sir Harry Paget Flashman VC KCB KCIE (1822-1915) had become a hero of the Victorian age fighting in wars all round the world, recieving many honours and much wealth, and meeting most of the famous people of the time.
Thanks for sharing.
Excellent, thanks Chris.
My pleasure. Thank you for watching.
Really love this! Brilliant once again!
Thank you for your kind comment.
i really loved the way you put that over ..a great fan of this channel thank you
Allan, thanks for your support.
Fascinating and beautifully presented,
Thanks for watching
That was a fantastic story and what a fantastic man you would want him on your side that's for sure and thanks for the video today 😀
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Chris for the thrilling yarn, Colonel Burnaby certainly was one of life's great characters and at the start of the story I likened his looks certainly to Captain Harry Flashman and wondered if in some small way Burnaby was his inspiration. Thank you again for telling his story
Jason, thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
Another great video about a real Boys Own hero. Thank you.
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Awesome job. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.
Wonderful to find this. He's One of my ancestors. 'Uncle Fred' on my mother's side.
Now, that is a pretty cool relative!
A fascinating account. Poet? The Great McGonagall. Son of Dundee and auguste Poet Laureate of Burma (apparently). Another great character and legend. As a departure from matters military, a video on his life and achievements (or lack them) would be interesting.
Thanks for the suggestion. Merry Christmas
Great history very well told! I love this and I am waiting for more. Keep it coming!!!
Will do. Thanks for watching.
Stories about the blitz would be would be nice. My brother-in-law's mother survived 3 days in a bombed out basement during the blitz she was just a little girl but she remembered it.
great idea. Need to find the right angle as WW2 is a very crowded area on UA-cam.
A true “dude” was Burnaby. The UK have so much to thank him for. Thank you for such an emotional revival of his contributions.
Thanks for watching
Hope you're well. No video for awhile and love them.
I will give a proper answer to your other comment.
Wonderful story and well presented.
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
as always i like listening to you. always to the point and always speaks the truth. please keep up your outstanding stories.
Very kind of you. Thanks
Chris, I've heard about the "Admin Box" in Burma, WW2 - but know very little about it. Perhaps there are a few anecdotes still around from this action against the Japanese? Anyway, love your channel and been a subscriber for a long time. Many thanks.
Will do a little digging and see if I can create a story for you in the coming year. Please make sure that you subscribe so you don't miss.
That was very inspiring thank you! I think more in depth profiles of fascinating individuals would be great material. Im guessing theres no shortage of these chara ters from the Victorian age. Thank you so much!
Glad you enjoyed it. Plenty more coming your way. Make sure you sign up to my weekly newsletter so you don’t miss them: www.thehistorychap.com
What an amazing life he led! Makes my trip hitch hiking down to Florida in 1969 seem tame by comparison. Now a story about his wife would also be interesting, she seems to have caught his adventurous zeal.
Thanks. Yes, she was quite a character. There were a fair few groundbreaking women at this time who we tend to not know a lot about.
the flashman books are so well researched and written, reading the books in the appendices of these novels really increased my knowledge and respect for our forebears i truly recommend them
Thanks for sharing
It's a great story...thank you...
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Have you considered a video about Sir Richard Burton explorer ( Mountains of the Moon) ?
Hi Robert, you are one of several viewers to have suggested Sir Richard Burton. I have added him to my list.
Excellent and thanks for your scholarship - a magnificent British story - not quite up there with Sir Adrian Paul Ghislain Carton de Wiart but what a life.
Its something even today, to being born British - long live the King..
De Wiart’s story coming soon :)
@@TheHistoryChap Magnificent, cant wait - now theres a story about one of our toughest.
Please, please all read the 'Flashman' everything. None will ever regret the following absolutely excellent series. First introduced to it at a romote oasis in Morroco, back in the alternate 'Hippie' winter of 1969-1970, where a copy was left for 'toilet' paper for our small band of travelers. It was a hard run to read far enough head to keep up with others.
Had adventues galore when I was 20 and 21 and a complete fool at the time. Leaves me marveling at the experience and content God allowed me full time to appreciate an interesting life.
Thanks for sharing your call to action
Brilliant video lecture of true larger than life figure. And you are quite right, no pun intended, not many men are made like Barnaby. Thank you for producing another gem, and I eagerly await your next video lecture.
The next one is the battle of Waterloo. Please subscribe, if you haven’t already to my channel, so you don’t miss it.
It's great to hear such a vivid retelling with new detail of an old story, a story I didn't set out to research, but one that just came to me in fragments over many years, starting in 1961. I was a 12-year-old schoolboy then, delivering newspapers in Greystones, County Wicklow, on the Burnaby, a rather grand pre-Independence housing estate. Some of the original inhabitants were still alive, retired British colonial officers/officials, still taking the Times, Telegraph, and the Financial Times. There was a Whitshed Road, a house named "Khiva" (which everybody pronounced "K-eye-va"), and the "Tel-el-Kebir Dairy".
Over twenty years later, in Sudan, I found a copy of "The Ride to Khiva", and thus learned the central part of the story of Fred Burnaby's life; the book's introduction briefly mentioned his ultimate end at Abu Clea.
And now, thanks to the History Chap, I learn more details of Burnaby's death, and that Whitshed Road is named for Mrs Burnaby's maiden name. And am prompted to look out for Burnaby's book on his trip to Turkey.
If I may make a comment on Burnaby's writing, it is that he makes up with forthright gusto what he lacks in precision of thought and expression. Perhaps the later Harrovian, Winston Churchill, never lacking in gusto in his military journalism, was familiar with, and consciously improved upon, Burnaby's style of English prose writing.
Thank you for taking the time to post such an in-depth comment.
Love it, thanks.
Thanks for watching
An amazing and fascinating hero. One thing I take issue with is any implication that speaking 7 languages is a sign of intelligence. If you have the capacity to master one language, you have the capacity to master any language. We don’t because we don’t have the opportunity to use them, and those who do generally learn them. So it’s a sign of being able to travel more than of intelligence. But I’m still impressed this guy cared enough to bother. He’s a true hero. God bless him. Edit: mcgonagal was accurately described, wasn’t he?
Thanks for taking the time to comment
His book, A Ride to Khiva is a travel classic. I bought a copy years ago and have read it several times since and it always puts a smile on my face. His death was as glorious as his life, a legend in every respect.
I would like an original but pretty expensive.
@@TheHistoryChap Mine is a reprint but I have a lot of Victorian volumes in my small, but cherished library, a few first editions, mainly about India, Ceylon and China. I went overland to India in 1972 and returned again and again and I lived in Ceylon for a few years in the early 1980's and then spent some time in Taiwan, in the 1990's. History was the only subject in school that interested me. I studied Modern European History (French Revolution to the Second World War and everything in between), which I thought was far more relevant that learning about the War of the Roses or how many wives Henry had, which I learned about later. I think it's a great pity that British Colonial History is not taught in schools, but there you are, it's a mad, mad world we live in today !
MUST BE SAID ONE BRILIANT SHOW SIR THANK YOU
Have a Great Merry Christmas & New Year! Hope to one day, hopefully next year, be able to support you properly.
Merry Christmas to you too.
Hi Chris, I thoroughly enjoy your history UA-cam channel I think I've binged watched them all now. If I could suggest video on Noel Chavasse VC and Bar. The only double VC of WW1. What a fascinating and amazing chap he sounds. I saw his grave stone in Brandhoek cemetery a few years ago. Thanks.
Noel Chavasse coming soon. Keep your eyes peeled in the new year.
Excellent thanks 👍👏
Thanks for watching
A good tale. I cannot help but think that Burnaby's adventures and writings had a great influence upon a young Winston Churchill (b. 1874). He would have been a hero by alliance with Churchill's father (Lord Randolf) and especially by his pushing of the envelope. Soldier, journalist, traveler, author, politician. A pattern, methinks.
Very interesting idea. Never thought of it but it makes sense.
Love the videos History Chap. I'd like to hear about Mad Mitch-the 1st Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Forces under his command reoccupied the Crater district of Aden 1967.
He is on my list for later this year. Please subscribe to my channel here on YT or join my newsletter so you don't miss (www.thehistorychap.com)
In the true buccaneering style of the British Empire! What a story and what an incredible adventurer.
Thank you for watching.
Enjoy your channel. Consider doing a review of the Four Feathers. How realistic was it?
Terence, it is on my list. On a lightly more quirky subject, I think a review of the military career of Lance Corporal Jones “Dads Army” might be fun too.
I first read about Burnaby whilst studying Victorian and Edwardian politics at university. He once stood as a candidate for the Conservatives, and single-handedly silenced several hecklers at a hustings by entering the crowd, silencing one with his fists, and forcefully seating two more with the words "you sit here, little man; and YOU, sit here, little man...."
Yes, I tell that story in the video. It occurred in Birmingham.
A great video, and further proof if any was needed to show Lord Charles Beresford should never have been allowed any armed forces let alone in a position of command. An entire career spent trying to prevent reforms and engaging in personal disputes that cost the Empire dearly more than once!
Thanks for posting.
What a gentleman!
Thanks for taking the time to comment
This could be the next Blackadder series we'll done history chappy.
Ha ha, can you imagine it?!
Many years ago I bought his book but my version was titled the road to khiva this book had tissue page liners and I remember he slept with his pistol under his blanket .
I lent this book out and never saw it again.
There is a Burnaby street in the new kings road, London, maybe he lived thereabouts.
Thanks for watching my video.
There's an area in Greystones, Co. Wicklow where his wife was from called The Burnaby and one of the roads is called Whitshed Road
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Great video, enjoyable as ever. Not much content on UA-cam about the mutinies at Spithead and Nore. Quite sure you could better what there is.
Peter, I will had to my list. Currently have 170 suggestions for my viewers! :)
@@TheHistoryChap If you do 10 videos per day, you'll catch up quite fast.
Really enjoying these tales from the Victorian era, looking forward to more.
Just tried looking for some of Fred Burnabys writings.... bloody expensive.
Glad you are enjoying.
@The History Chap could you do a video on something a bit different?
The Eureka uprising in Australia.
Still part of the Empire, and a tale that most outside of Australia would not know.
I will say that I am duly impressed by the taile of this larger-than-life man. You always seem to be able to find the most interesting characters in history and bring them to life. I laughed when I heard how he handled the hecklers in the audience. Now that is how you deal with stupid! LOL once again a masterpiece of showmanship, jolly good 👍
Harry, I'm glad that you found it enjoyable. Thanks for watching.
What an amazing man! A product of his time. His life needs to be made into a large budget movie.
Glad you enjoyed