Happy Thanksgiving to all!

And here is the key for who is who in the dinner....

Regiment Saintonge 1745

Why do you add certain regiments to your collection?  Most times I add regiments if they are a favorite of mine (have to the Royal Welch Fusiliers), or are in a historical order of battle (like my Niagara 1814 project).  Sometimes I add them because they look incredible or have brilliant uniforms.  But sometimes I add them because they are special on a personal level.

One such regiment is the French regiment Saintonge.  Way back during the Bicentennial of the American Revolution a local recreated militia group decided for Yorktown they would  do something special.  They would recreate a French regiment. For over a year they researched and created the uniforms and equipment  while they drilled and trained.  At Yorktown they fielded about one hundred soldiers and were an incredible impressive sight.  In later years during my time with the National Park Service I had the pleasure to work with members of the Saintonge. It was always a great experience and they were a very nice group of people.

So when adding regiments to my 1745 French army i just had to add these fine fellows.

November 11, Armistice Day

My grandfather, Edward McNamara from Lexington Massachusetts served with the 101st Regiment (Medical company), 26th Yankee Division in the first world war.  He seldom talked about it, and when he did it was a terrible memory which haunted him.  But  I will always remember his smile when he told me how at 11:00 A.M. on 11th November the guns stopped and he and his friends knew they would live, knew they had survived.  

And as this date is now called Veterans Day I say thank you to my father in law, Aldrich Stevens  who served in the  3rd Ranger Battalion (Darby's Rangers) in the Second World War.  He joined the Rangers in North Africa, and took part in the invasion of both Sicily and Italy.  He could not take part in the Anzio  landing because of his wounds so missed the Battle of Cisterna.  Like my grandfather he too was haunted by the memories of what he saw, experienced and especialy those he lost.   

I remember their sacrifices and hope both have found peace.

Regiment Tournaisis 1745

  Another French regiment for my 1745 army.  The Regiment Tournaisis.

   I am getting the painting of white uniforms down to where I am comfortable.  I use a light grey, set brush a off white then dry brush white.  Gaiters are dark grey then dry brush white.  I like how it looks.  Next order with Crann Tara will be to add artillery, cavalry and mounted staff officers.  I am off and running!

Regiment Dillon 1745

My second regiment from the famed Irish Brigade is the Regiment Dillon.  The black cuffs set off rather nicely from the red coats.  Again, the pose is just right for the Irish.  A disinterested but impatience for the up coming brawl.

The Dillon regiment has always held my attention since I became interested in you soldiers. I remember reading a story as a very young boy that the King of France said to the commander of the Dillon regiment that his regiment caused more trouble than the rest of his army combined.  The Irish commander bowed and replied your enemies say the same thing.   I have   remembered the story and if it is not true have felt it should be.

Figures are from Crann Tara miniatures.  Flag from GMB Design (and a work of art it is).

Regiment Clare 1745

  A beautiful regiment from the Irish Brigade in the service of the French.  I picked the Clare regiment as it was recruited from the area of Ireland where my mother's side of the family came from.  Possibly there were a few McNamara's who fought in its ranks.  At least some of the family thinks so.  Elements of the Regiment were sent to Scotland and fought at Falkirk and Culloden.

Figures are from Crann Tara miniatures.  Flags again from the beautiful works offset from GMB Design.