|
The Afghan Campaigns, the 1st and 2nd
Afghan Wars, produced some major battles which Richard Caton Woodville
showed to great effect in his military paintings. Some of these Afghan
Campaign paintings are now available as fine art prints, published over
the last 20 years by Cranston Fine Arts, Europe's leading military fine
art publishers.
Russian intrigue and the attack on a
British mission led to the war of 1878. Having occupied Kandahar we made
peace. But the murder of our envoy, Sir L Cavagnari, caused a renewal of
the conflict, in which a strenuous part was played by Ayub Khan, a
pretender to the throne. After defeating General Burrows at Maiwand, Ayub
proceeded to invest Kandahar. This city, formerly the capital, is
surrounded by mud walls 27 feet high, and 26 feet thick, and contains a
citadel of great strength, defended by outer walls and earthworks. Into
this labyrinth of walls within walls General Primrose retired his
garrison, while Ayub Khan prepared for a siege. To rescue this handful of
beleaguered men Lord Roberts had to traverse over 300 miles of rocks,
ravines, and primeval jungle, peopled with fierce tribes who were ever
ready to fall upon the infidel. So narrow were the defiles in some places
that the flanking parties could talk with one another, and the risk of
being surprised and overwhelmed in one of these passes was very great. But
the cool judgment and prescience of the Commander-in-Chief and the courage
and energy of his men brought them without disaster to the confines of the
city. Opposed to this flying column of 7,500 British and Indian troops
were 10,000 disciplined and brave men. Lord Roberts did not hesitate. On
the day after his arrival the relieving force cleared the enclosures,
carrying garden and building in gallant style. A sortie by the garrison
enabled them to drive the Afghans from their main position in the mountain
passes into an entrenched camp that commanded an open space. "Just
one more charge to settle this business," cried Major G Stewart
White, and Highlanders and Ghoorkhas swept onward with a cheer, until
their bayonets flashed death among the dark ranks of the enemy. The
batteries moved forward and the camp of the besiegers was at the mercy of
Lord Roberts. The enemy's guns were captured and their leaders put to
flight, while General Gough and his cavalry pursued the scattered yet
stubborn foe.
Text by William Maxwell 1902.
|
|
|
Saving the Guns at the Battle of Maiwand by Richard Caton Woodville.
In July 1879 during the Afghan Campaign. Ayub Khan and an army of over 35,000 warriors were marching onto Kandahar. The British force under the command of General Burrows decided to fight. With a force, no more than 3,300 strong, took up position in a tiny hamlet of Mahmudabad, within 2 hours many of the British had been slaughtered, but with nightfall the remnants of the brigade retreated. The picture shows C battery of the Royal Horse Artillery withdrawing with the enemy in hot pursuit.
Open edition print. Image size 30 inches x 19 inches (76cm x 48cm). Price £40.00
Open edition print. Image size 14 inches x 9 inches (36cm x 23cm). Price £20.00
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £1.50
**Open edition print. (2 copies reduced to clear) Image size 30 inches x 19 inches (76cm x 48cm). Price £
ITEM CODE DHM0006
|
|
|
92nd Highlanders at the Battle of Kandahar by Richard Caton Woodville.
The painting depicts the 92nd Highlanders (Gordon Highlanders) routing Ayub Khan tribesmen, on 31st August 1880, who had earlier on 26th July beaten the British at the battle of Maiwand and was now besieging the remainder of Primroses division in the citadel of Kandahar. Roberts with a force of 10,000 men (Gordon Highlanders, 60th Rifles, 72nd Highlanders, Sixth Gurka and Punjabi Infantry) marched out of Kabul to relieve Kandahar which was 300 miles away. The epic Battle of Kandahar made Roberts one of the great Victorian military heroes.
Open edition print. Image size 30 inches x 19 inches (76cm x 48cm). Price £48.00
Open edition print. Image size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £40.00
Open edition print. Image size 12 inches x 9 inches (31cm x 23cm). Price £14.00
Limited edition of 200 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £500.00
Limited edition of 200 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £390.00
ITEM CODE DHM0245
|
|
|
Storming of Dargai Heights by the 1st Gordon Highlanders. The Wounded Pipers Gallantry by Richard Caton Woodville.
Christmas, which is essentially the spirit of home, turns our thoughts more sympathetically then at any other season of the year to our kinsmen across the seas, especially to our soldiers in the lonely outposts of the Empire. This picture recalls a famous incident in the story of our Indian Frontier which was thrilling the Motherland about this time twelve years ago. On August 23rd, 1897, the warlike tribe of the Afridis attacked Ali Musjid and Fort Maude. In October a British force was despatched to punish them by invading Tirah, their summer home, and on the 20th of the month occurred the fight on the Dargai Heights, where the enemy had taken up a strong position. The Gurkhas were first sent up, but were met with a withering fire. Then the Derbys and the Dorsets tried to rush the entrenchments; but at last the (1st) Gordon Highlanders were told off for the perilous task. Headed by their pipers, and led by Lieut.-Colonel Mathias, they dashed through a murderous fire, and in forty minutes won the height, leaving three officers and thirty men killed and wounded on the way. The individual acts of courage were equally splendid, and the conduct of the pipers in particular roused great enthusiasm. Their Lance-Corporal was shot through the chest, but Piper Findlater, after being shot through both feet and unable to stand, sat up under a heavy fire and continued playing the Cock o the North to encourage his comrades. His gallantry raised an enormous wave of public enthusiasm. He received the V.C. and retired on a pension to his native Aberdeenshire.
Open edition print. Image size 14 inches x 9.5 inches (36cm x 24cm). Price £16.00
**Open edition print. (3 copies reduced to clear) Image size 14 inches x 9.5 inches (36cm x 24cm). Price £10.00
ITEM CODE DHM0020
|
|
Saving the Guns at the Battle of Maiwand by Richard Caton
Woodville In July 1879 during the Afghan Campaign. Ayub Khan and an army of over
35,000 warriors were marching onto Kandahar. The British force under the
command of General Burrows decided to fight. With a force, no more than
3,300 strong, took up position in a tiny hamlet of Mahmudabad, within 2
hours many of the British had been slaughtered, but with nightfall the
remnants of the brigade retreated. The picture shows C battery of the
Royal Horse Artillery withdrawing with the enemy in hot pursuit.
92nd Highlanders at the Battle of Kandahar by
Caton Woodville The painting depicts the 92nd Highlanders (Gordon Highlanders) routing
Ayub Khan tribesmen, on 31st August 1880, who had earlier on 26th July
beaten the British at the battle of Maiwand and was now besieging the
remainder of Primrose's division in the citadel of Kandahar. Roberts with
a force of 10,000 men (Gordon Highlanders, 60th Rifles, 72nd Highlanders,
Sixth Gurka and Punjabi Infantry) marched out of Kabul to relieve Kandahar
which was 300 miles away. The epic Battle of Kandahar made Roberts one of
the great Victorian military heroes.
Storming of Dargai Heights by the 1st
Gordon Highlanders. The Wounded Pipers Gallantry by Caton Woodville Christmas, which is essentially the spirit of home, turns our thoughts
more sympathetically then at any other season of the year to our kinsmen
across the seas, especially to our soldiers in the lonely outposts of the
Empire. This picture recalls a famous incident in the story of our Indian
Frontier which was thrilling the Motherland about this time twelve years
ago. On August 23rd, 1897, the warlike tribe of the Afridis attacked Ali
Musjid and Fort Maude. In October a British force was despatched to punish
them by invading Tirah, their summer home, and on the 20th of the month
occurred the fight on the Dargai Heights, where the enemy had taken up a
strong position. The Gurkhas were first sent up, but were met with a
withering fire. Then the Derby's and the Dorsets tried to rush the
entrenchments; but at last the (1st) Gordon Highlanders were told off for
the perilous task. Headed by their pipers, and led by Lieut.-Colonel
Mathias, they dashed through a murderous fire, and in forty minutes won
the height, leaving three officers and thirty men killed and wounded on
the way. The individual acts of courage were equally splendid, and the
conduct of the pipers in particular roused great enthusiasm. Their
Lance-Corporal was shot through the chest, but Piper Findlater, after
being shot through both feet and unable to stand, sat up under a heavy
fire and continued playing the "Cock o' the North" to encourage
his comrades. His gallantry raised an enormous wave of public enthusiasm.
He received the V.C. and retired on a pension to his native Aberdeenshire.
|
|
