Scraps from My Sabretasche

A British light cavalry trooper during the Indian Mutiny

During the early period of the Victorian era the cavalry regiment to which the author of this book belonged-H. M 14th (King's) Light Dragoons-had already seen much active service in India. It had fought with distinction in the bloody conflicts to bring the Sikhs of the Punjab under the Imperial banner. Young George Stent was clearly something of a 'lad about town' in civilian life and his enlistment as a trooper was followed quickly by a voyage to the sub-continent to join the regiment there. In Stent we are introduced to a likeable rogue, well able to make good account of himself in civilian or military life and clearly a man with an eye for the ladies. He provides the reader with an entertaining and often humorous account of garrison life in India in the middle part of the nineteenth century. Soon, however, all thought of the pleasant diversions of peace time soldiering in cantonments were banished from the author's mind as they were from the thoughts of every European. The Indian Mutiny broke out in all its bloody fury and Stent devoted himself to the role of cavalry trooper engaged in hard campaigning, battle and retribution. This is an excellent first-hand account and invaluable reading for all those interested in the ordinary British soldiers of the Victorian era. Available in softcover and hardback with dust jacket.