The Home Guard

I painted these back in February but it has taken until Saturday to get the basing finished.

Two sets of Foundry Home Guard. In hind sight I probably should have bought the guys in the steel helmets rather than two sets of the same. Too late now!

Today is April 25th, ANZAC day down in this part of the world.

 Both sets of figures on evening exercises. Home made poppies made by my wee man.

 A couple of photos taken on Saturday by my wife when we visited Cranmer Square.
A cross and a poppy for each person killed from the Canterbury area. So far the crosses are for those killed in 1915 and 1916, next year they will add those killed in 1917.

We will remember them.

Turks for Gallipoli.

Finished off some more Turks for the 4000 figure diorama of the Battle of Chunuk Bair.

 These guys are very similar, in pose, to the last lot of Turks I painted.

 

 There are many more photos of other wargamer's work on the official blog "Mustering the Troops".

 From memory this diorama will be about 10 meters long. Should be rather impressive.

Started on my last bunch last night. All going according to plan they will be done by the end of the month.

MORE to be seen here.

Please take a look.

Essex Medieval Knights

Started painting these fig's more than 15 years ago!! Finally they are done!

My original intention was to do a Scottish Medieval army but way back then I was having trouble getting much in the way of info. Now, as a couple of us are making up some medieval armies I have gone for a more fictitious army in order to be able to make use of all the medieval figures I have lying around.

 Essex Knights....the first 4.

 The two blue figures were painted many years ago!

 Home made flag. Looking at it now I think it should have been red and green, not blue and white.

 The troops so far....... More to come yet.

 

If you think 15 or so years is bad for getting round to painting up some fig's then read on!

 Painted and based up these stone walls this week too. They have been semi painted for a few years but never got round to basing them. About 40 years ago I saved up my pocket money for weeks and weeks till I had enough to send away to Britain to get them. After waiting for months for them to arrive I open the parcel only to find that the long ones were broken in half. Vac formed stuff didn't travel too well across the world. Now hidden by the Woodland Scenic clump foliage.

Anyway I have now painted them up and based them for use in my games.

I think the maker for the stone walls was an outfit called "Bellonia" but I could be wrong.



The MDF bases for the knights were supplied by" Bradder's War Bases". Thanks Brad.

Tomorrow is ANZAC Day

99 years ago 

25/4/1915

Lest we forget.

ANZAC Day 2013

25th April 2013

The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

 "Those heroes that shed their blood
And lost their lives.
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,
Who sent their sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears,
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land they have
Become our sons as well."

I finished painting these WW1 Foundry Brit's last week and based them over the weekend. Quick to paint and look much better for an ANZAC day post than all the ACW troops I have been working on for most of this year.

 

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

ANZAC Day.

Today is the day that Kiwis and Aussies take a moment or two to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for YOU and ME. Make some time today to think of the many men and women who have given their lives for their country.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

A very old postcard that I have with a photo of ANZAC Cove on the front.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

We will remember them.