Reading a 1905 book about #Nigeria today & genuinely loving this reminder that even in the 20th century large parts of #Africa were unknown to colonial forces. #History
13.03.2026 15:40
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Reading a 1905 book about #Nigeria today & genuinely loving this reminder that even in the 20th century large parts of #Africa were unknown to colonial forces. #History
In one of those moments where I was all "I thought people like you were made up by the Telegraph" a lecturer at UCL told me he wouldn't "let me" do a talk because I was wearing a Union Jack t-shirt.
A recruiting poster from #WW2 in Northern Rhodesia & Nyasaland (as #Zambia & #Malawi where then known) in the Chewa/Nyanja language - it has the classic question of recruitment posters:
"This man is a soldier. King George wants more soldiers.
Are you brave men? If so, join the army!"
#History
Big shout out to #Hornblower for this excellent depiction of the uprising enslaved people of #haiti - full of French Revolutionary fervour in full "Black Jacobins" style. #history #drama #television
He came from Seaford Town.
By far the weirdest thing I get a lot of now is requests to "take part" in #book club discussions about my book - usually at last minute - & they always reveal themselves as #scams with stuff like this. This particular one uses has also stolen the identity of an actual club in #chicago #authorlife
Another enjoyable #history evening talking to North Crawley's Historical Society about my "Black Redcoats" - a fun evening with food & wine afterwards. #authorlife #writing #books
Sadly that right was surrendered in 1948. The last trial was in 1937 (a drunk driving death charge that got acquitted so outrageously it killed the Royal Gallery Trial forever)
Now that's a hell of a hard #WW2 pic, showing a #Nigeria soldier of the West #African Brigade that was part of #Burma Chindit operations! #history #blackhistory
@historybowsh.bsky.social @badsocialism.bsky.social
Got a bit of time today? Why not watch a great piece of #USA #BlackHistoryMonth work that's also #militaryhistory, specifically #Vietnam.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxSi...
Finally, a #manga just for me! About the shenanigans and coup attempts around & against the #Japanese Emperor as it becomes clear they need to surrender in #ww2 - an excellent bit of #History well-presented.
It’s time! @blackredcoats.bsky.social’s Black Redcoats and the Harbour Special from Tintagel Brewery. I’ve dipped into the book before but this is the full cover to cover. From the start it’s pretty epic and uplifting. #readingndrinking #histbookchat
My "Black Redcoats" is at the College of the Muscogee Nation, the Muscogee descend from the Creek who the Royal Marines & former enslaved I wrote of fought alongside against the US. The corn is from the Great Tecumseh's Tippecanoe ( @tom4141tom.bsky.social ), & Alabama the homeland of Creek #History
The exiles waited a while, but they returned in the end!
Sometimes you just need to remember that you only need a mad minute. #history #guns #war #british #smle
Leather gloves guy is the leader of the collaborators in a world run by the Daleks. All the vibes of a Nazi but pre-watershed threat level.
And when you join, you can be any one of these four types of Nazi!
How's #book sales of my "Black Redcoats" doing you ask? Well I've booked (ho ho!) yet another speaking event for SEPTEMBER 2026(!) another free lunch & chance to sell books while doing what I love, talking #history!
#bookme #authorlife
"And then, in a show of the even handed justice it was famed for bringing to the world, Britain handed Burma over to former Japanese allies the Burma Independence Army, while putting on trial former Japanese allies the Indian National Army..."
The wee numbers next to some flags indicate 1 or 2 brigades derived from (roughly) that modern nation, The #Gambia and #Sierraleone soldiers operated in the same brigade in 81st WA I believe.
Hola #Burma #WW2 historians & enthusiasts @badsocialism.bsky.social @historybowsh.bsky.social I'm putting together some stuff on the #Africa contribution to Burma & this is my "Order of Battle" using modern flags. Does it make accord with what you know? #History
Spent a very happy Sunday talking to the
@armybenevolentfund.bsky.social Berkshire branch about my "Black Redcoats". A great audience of proud #veterans it was a pleasure to bring this amazing tale of #British and #blackhistory to.
#authorlife
It's been a very, very long time since I've been this angry.
While stupid things are said about (recent) military #history, the 179th Anniversary of #Isandlwana & #RorkesDrift (#Zulu) took place yesterday & brave people fighting for their Kings and Countries were honoured.
Big love to the Diehards Living History Group for this photo.
Going up on flagpole tonight. Let's see if the #raisethecolours crowd are #patriots or collaborators.
Britain forever, and everyone who is lucky enough to be #British, of all creeds & colours, you are my people. Fuck foreign despots.
#457 #History #NATO
I've been SO ANGRY all day due to various utterances by idiots that, to make myself feel better, I've been indulging in reading the words of Royal Marine officer Edward Nicolls, who wanted to destroy the United States by having British forces arm enslaved people and native Americans. #History
I remember a million years ago when he said on TV with a straight face there were no riots with property damage in Britain before black people.
Reading these reports about an alleged new #Canada defence plan in case of #USA invasion, and it seems to come down to "We're the Taliban now".
Or the Tal-ay-ban, if you will.
#politics #currentevents
Incredibly, Mawlaik was held by Japanese troops who were considered too ill or wounded to take part in the Japanese withdrawal to the Chindwin River in November 1944.
The sick and hurt men were left largely inside a fortified forestry office, and fought to the last, with many suicides.
I highly recommend to you the awkwardly-named Facebook group "Medal of KAR" which is an absolute goldmine for this - I suspect people you know may be involved in it!