3 Oct 2017

Counting Redcoats

From Nights, 7:12 pm on 3 October 2017
Watercolour sketch by Thomas Matravers of 3 guards at Albert Barracks (c.1863-1868). Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 3-137-26a

Watercolour sketch by Thomas Matravers of 3 guards at Albert Barracks (c.1863-1868). Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 3-137-26a Photo: With kind permission Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 3-137-26a

At least 12,000 imperial soldiers served in New Zealand in the wars of the 1860s. Who were the faces behind the uniforms serving Queen and government in this pivotal moment in New Zealand's history? Where did the soldiers come from? Where did they go to? Charlotte MacDonald is one of the team behind the Soldiers of Empire project and she joins us to tell us more.