Her Majesty's Finest - Faction Overview

With the many evils stalking the streets of London, Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, in her great wisdom, decided to recall some of the greatest military heroes of the Empire from the various wars they were fighting to form a mixed unit, that were quickly called "Her Majesty's Finest". While a custom uniform was suggested, Colonel Lovelace preferred for each member to continue to wear their respective uniform as a matter of pride.

Her Majesty's Finest

1. Colonel William Lovelace

Source: King and Country

2.  Captain Frederick Burnaby, Royal Horse Guards

Source: John Jenkins Designs

 3. Lt. Georges Findlay, Royal Marine Officer

Source: John Jenkins Designs

4. Sgt. MacIntosh, Gordon Highlanders

Source: John Jenkins Designs

5. Lt. Alfred Caine, Naval Officer

Source: John Jenkins Designs

 6. Ishmael, Naval Brigade Private

Source: John Jenkins Designs

7. Alfred Hook and Frederick Hitch, 24th Privates (Redcoats)

Source: Thomas Gunn

8. Liam Hamstead, York & Lancaster Regt. Private

Source: W Britains

9. Narayan Singh, 15th Ludhiana Sikhs rifleman

Source: King & Country

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 - York & Lancaster Rgt. Private

Private Liam Hamstead has been with the 1st battalion of the York & Lancaster Regiment since the mid seventies, and was posted in India until 1882. After that, they were moved to Aden to be held in reserve for the Egyptian Campaign, and subsequently shipped to Sudan at the start of 1884. One day after their arrival, they came under gun fire and made a bayonet charge, capturing two Krupp guns. Prviate Hamstead was instrumental in that feat. He continued to serve with the regiment until he was drafted into Her Majesty's Finest.

Private Hamstead reenacting the bayonet charge

The model is a prepainted W. Britain figure. Not a favourite, but it fits in well enough and adds some more diversity to the unit. The base was changed to match the other figures. The character was made up, though the events mentioned did take place.

Private Hamstead shown here among the other members of Her Majesty's Finest:

For the Queen and the British Empire!

Her Majesty's Finest - Redcoats

Privates Alfred Henry Hook and Frederick Hitch were awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in 1879, after the battle of Rorke's Drift against overwhelming Zulu forces. They continued to serve and were with the 24th regiment when they were called upon to join Her Majesty's Finest.

Heroes of Rorke's Drift, defending the streets of London from supernatural and other foes.

Both figures are prepainted toy soldiers made by Thomas Gunn. I have only adapted the bases to fit in with my other figures. The characters are based on actual heroes of the battle of Rorke's Drift.

Private Frederick Hitch 

Private Alfred Henry Hook

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.

Her Majesty's Finest - Colonel Lovelace

With the many evils stalking the streets of London, Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, in her great wisdom, decided to recall some of the greatest military heroes of the Empire from the various wars they were fighting to form a mixed unit, that were quickly called "Her Majesty's Finest". To lead these brave men, Colonel William Lovelace, of the Madras Lancers, also called "The Iron Colonel" returned from his mission in India.

Colonel Lovelace is a stock King and Country figure, with only the base repainted to match my other figures. The model is a retired club figure. Another static pose, but he does exhude that British "stiff upper lip" officer air. Besides, the members of his team will count plenty of action poses.

God Save the Queen!

British stiff upper lip in action...