Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby



The good Colonel Burnaby, armed with his double barrelled shotgun which caused
such controversy back in England, prepares to close the gap in the line.



Anyone even remotely interested in the campaigns in the Sudan would be certainly be familiar with the larger than life figure of Fred Burnaby.  Reputedly the strongest man in the British army at the time, stories abound of his feats of strength as well as with his wit (he was an extremely clever fellow) all about Victorian society of the time.

I have been looking at finally basing this excellent rendition of the famous, larger than life character Fred Burnaby for sometime.


The figure is from the much under-rated Redoubt Miniatures Sudan range and shows our good hero resplendent in Matinee Coat and double barrelled shotgun preparing to do his bit for Queen and Country!  He is accompanied on the base my another fine Redoubt Bugler who also happens to have a drum on him as well.  Hope he is drawing double wages.

Amongst some lovely Connoisseur Miniatures Camel Corps dismounted troopers

The Colonel was painted by my good self some years ago and the Bugler was through my good friends at DPS - thanks Herbert.  Wonderful job.


His death at Abu Klea was genuinely mourned by both the army and the nation.  It was the catalyst for 5000 word obituaries in "The Times" and poems from the nations artistic society such as the following:

Come listen to my story boys,
There's news from overseas,
The Camel Corps has held their own
And gained a victory.

Weep not my boys for those who fell,
They did not flinch nor fear,
They stood their ground like Englishmen,
And died at Abu Klea.

No more our colonel's form we'll see,
His foes have struck him down.
His life on earth alas is o'er
But not his great reknown.

No more his merry voice we'll hear,
Nor words of stern command,
He died as he had often wished,
His sabre in his hand.

Weep not me boys for those who fell,
They did not flinch nor fear,
They stood their ground like Englishmen,
And died at Abu Klea.

Now Horseguards Blue both old and young,
Each man from front to rear,
Remember Col Burnaby at sandy Abu Klea.
And when Old England calls her Blues to battle soon or late,
We shan't forget how soldierly the Colonel met his fate.

Weep not me boys for those who fell,
They did not flinch nor fear,
They stood their ground like Englishmen,
And died at Abu Klea.





 He was also rumoured to be the person referred to in the famous poem Vitai Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt about a young schoolboy cricketer who grows up to fight for the Empire in Africa line "The gatling jammed and the colonel dead"

There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night -

Ten to make and the match to win -

A bumping pitch and a blinding light,

An hour to play and the last man in.

And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,

Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,

But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote

"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

The sand of the desert is sodden red, -

Red with the wreck of a square that broke; -

The Gatling's jammed and the colonel dead,

And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.

The river of death has brimmed his banks,

And England's far, and Honour a name,

But the voice of schoolboy rallies the ranks,

"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

This is the word that year by year

While in her place the School is set

Every one of her sons must hear,

And none that hears it dare forget.

This they all with a joyful mind

Bear through life like a torch in flame,

And falling fling to the host behind -

"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

Of course the "Gatling" referred to is either a "Gardner" or 'Nordenfeld" but you get the picture.

The famous poet Andrew McGonagall  wrote a wonderful poem on the Battle of Abu Klea which you could read  here.

Frederick Burnaby painted in 1870 by James Jacques Tissot - copyright The National Portrait Gallery London

For those who would like to read an interesting account of Burnaby I highly recommend visiting
Great British Nutters - a highly entertaining blog with a wonderful write up of our good friend.



Redoubt do make some very nice figures that compliment my Sudan collection quite well.



A few more Sudan pieces I have been working on to follow as well as some more clarifications on the fantastic rules queries we are receiving.