Her Majesty's Finest - Captain Burnaby

Captain Frederick Gustavus Burnaby joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1859. His service would take him allover the world. In 1875, he travelled with General Gordon in the Sudan and then journeyed across the Russian Steppes on horseback. In 1876-78 he travelled through Asia Minor and Armenia, which he would write about in 'On Horseback through Asia Minor'. In 1882 he crossed the Channel to Normandy alone in a balloon, which was a first. He was fluent in several foreign languages, stood for parliament (twice), published several books and was generally admired by the London ladies.    Barely surviving a spear at the battle of Abu Klea in the Sudan on 17th January 1885 (he was in fact officially reported killed in action), he was offered a place among "Her Majesty's Finest" after his recovery.

Captain Burnaby, in the thick of the fight

The figure is a prepainted one from John Jenkins Designs, with the base raised and repainted  to match the other figures. Despite the epic details of his life, captain Burnaby is an actual historical character and the figure was made to represent him. The real captain however did not survive the spear at Aby Klea.

Her Majesty's Finest - Royal Navy

Lieutenant Alfred Caine and private Ishmael (no last name given) were serving with the Royal Navy when they were called upon to join "Her Majesty's Finest". Little did they know they would soon be hacking their way through legions of undead in London.

"What's your name, private?" - "Call me Ishmael, Sir."

Alfred Caine joined the Navy in 1875 and served on the 'Britannia' and on the 'Alexandra', the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. He was wounded in the shoulder while serving ashore in the Niger River in 1881, but made a full recovery. The following year he became first lieutenant and was present at the bombardment of Alexandria. He fought in the Sudan campaign of 1885.

Hold fast!

Private Ishmael was added to the unit on the recommendation of Lt. Caine, who praised the young sailor's courage and resourcefullness. Ishamel doesn't talk much about his past, though it has been said he was the sole survivor of a whaling expedition in his youth. Such a tragedy is sure to mark a man.

Both models are prepainted John Jenkins Designs toy soldiers from their Sudan War range. I only changed the bases so they would match my other figures. Lt. Caine is a character I made up, while private Ishmael was borrowed from Moby Dick.

Her Majesty's Finest - Lieutenant Findlay & Sergeant MacIntosh

Lieutenant Georges Findlay of the Royal Marines and Sergeant Angus MacIntosh of the Gordon Higlanders were recalled to London from their post in Sudan to join the elite unit that has come to be known as "Her Majesty's Finest". Like the other members of that distinguished unit, they kept their respective uniforms as a matter of pride.

Allright boys, party is over!

Sergeant MacIntosh proudly wears the green kilt of the Gordon Highlanders and while his belly may have gotten a bit out of control, he is still a force to be reconned with. His short fuse and temper have prevented him from rising above the rank of sergeant for any prolonged period of time, though some say this may be deliberate on his part.

Now be a good lad and die already...

Lieutenant Findlay would have made captain by now, had he not had the misfortune of courting the wrong woman whio happened to be married to an influential man. Still, his distinguished record has not been overlooked by Colonel Lovelace when recruiting the members of Her Majesty's Finest.

Wait for it... 

Fire!

Both of these are prepainted figures made by John Jenkins Designs for the Sudan War. As usual, I repainted the bases so they would match the other figures. Unlike the other figures, I made up the names of the characters and they are not taken from popular litterature.

Now I've got you right where I want you.