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Maiwand The Last Stand of the 66th Berkshire Regiment - New Book just RELEASED. First Response from David Haylock - " Have received a copy of "Maiwand" - Really excellent - Thanks- a lot of research and work must have gone into the book- Very pleased
Maiwand, the Last Stand of the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment in Afghanistan in 1880 has arrived in the museum shop and is available now.
The book price includes postage and packing (within the EU only) and all books sold by the museum have been exclusively signed by the author - Richard J. Stacpoole-Ryding.
If you would like to order this book online, please look under 'The Museum' section of the website, then click on 'Museum Shop', then 'Books - Regimental'.
On 27 July 1880 the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment fought a terrible battle on the dusty plains of Afghanistan. The battle went down in history as a disaster which effectively wiped out the regiment. They lost 10 officers and 257 men. Nonetheless, their valiant fighting was an inspiration to many, from Kipling to Conan Doyle, who based Dr Watson on the 66th's Medical Officer Surgeon-Major Preston. Queen Victoria presented gallantry medals to the survivors at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. It was Maiwand and the battle of Isandhlwana, fought against the Zulus the previous year, which resulted in the British Army no longer carrying Colours into battle.
General Primrose's Dispatches of 01 October 1880 records " History does not afford any grander or finer instance of gallantry and devotion to Queen and County than that displayed by the 66th Regiment at the Battle of Maiwand on 27th July 1880."
Richard J Stacpoole-Ryding's book tells the story of this fine Victorian regiment from 1870 when they went to India through Afghanistan and back to England in 1881, bringing the regiment to life and concentrating on the characters who made it what is was.