The King's Hussar

An old soldier tells the story of his long military career

This is an intimate account of the Victorian cavalryman of the British Army during the second half of the nineteenth century. Edwin Mole joined the 14th Hussars-previously the 14th Light Dragoons-after the time of Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, when men who had served in the Sikh War still rode in the ranks of his regiment. Mole's first posting took him to Ireland as part of the military presence on hand to repress the tide of Republicanism that the Fenian movement represented. A long residence in India followed and this period provides essential detail of the life of the 'Soldier Sahibs' during the British Raj. Trouble in South Africa called the regiment to the brief conflict which was the First Boer War, before Mole returned once again to India. The author's military career ends with his appointment as Sergeant Major to a Yeomanry Regiment back in England. Mole's career-spanning the years from 1860's to the end of the 80's-a period rarely covered in military memoirs-makes fascinating reading for those interested in the history of the British Army prior to the First World War.