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Monday, 6 May 2013

Captain William Morris...

…The Pocket Hercules.



So named because of his short stature, forty three inch chest and immense strength, Captain Morris completes the triumvirate of the Charge of the Light Brigade Characters from ‘Great War Miniatures’ distributed in the United Kingdom through ‘North Star Military Figures’.  This is a cracking little miniature and perhaps my favourite of the three.  Again a one piece sculpt, nicely proportioned and dynamic in its portrayal of the man who led the 17th Lancers into the ‘Valley of Death’ astride his favourite charger, ‘Old Trumpeter’.





Morris was one of those rare creatures in that he was a professional and experienced soldier having attended the Royal Military College and saw service in India during the Sikh Wars winning medals for gallantry at Sobraon and Aliwal, but this active service saw him looked down upon by those with wealth and social standing who referred to men like Morris as 'Indian' officers.  


Captain Morris would be one of the first to reach the Russian guns and survived the charge only to endure an untimely death from dysentery in Poona during the Indian Mutiny.







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51 comments:

  1. Schedler Vincent 6 May 2013 at 21:09

    Grat paint Michael , really nice
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown6 May 2013 at 21:31

    I'm really getting to like the way they sculpt horses and your brush seems to love them.

    And don't they make a nice statement all lined up together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:43

      Thank you Anne, I love the horses particularly and always try to give them the paint job they deserve.

      Delete
  3. Smillie6 May 2013 at 21:50

    Great work Michael, the brush work on this chap is excellent.

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:43

      Thank you Mr Smilie, certainly my favourite so far.

      Delete
  4. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)6 May 2013 at 21:52

    Very nicely done sir!

    Christopher

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  5. The Angry Lurker6 May 2013 at 22:00

    Damn nice figure and history Michael!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Scottswargaming6 May 2013 at 22:23

    Great stuff Michael, a much better face this time for you to display your skills with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:44

      Thank you Scott, definitely a more characterful sculpt.

      Delete
  7. Simon Quinton 6 May 2013 at 22:31

    Great job Michael and as already said a much better face on this one. They look great together as well in that last pic.

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:45

      Thank you Simon, they must have made an impressive sight on the charge that fateful afternoon.

      Delete
  8. TamsinP6 May 2013 at 22:32

    Lovely stuff Michael! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Unknown6 May 2013 at 22:59

    You are very good at painting horses. I like this model the best of the three. As others have said the face sculpting wise is much nicer.

    P.S. Thanks for adding my blog to your roll call.

    Rob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:46

      Thank you Robert, I think it helps having a great sculpt to work with; as for adding your blog you are more than welcome - it is too good to miss out on.

      Delete
  10. Jay6 May 2013 at 23:18

    Sweet!

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  11. Andrew McCory6 May 2013 at 23:41

    Very nice figure and a heroic story with an unworthy end.

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:53

      Thank you and you are right it just doesn't seem an appropriate end to a very brave and fine soldier.

      Delete
  12. Ray Rousell7 May 2013 at 00:27

    Damn fine painting once again Mr Awdry! Is it me or does the horse look like he's doing the goose step?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:54

      Thank you Ray - not sure about the goose step, but he certainly has a broad stride!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous7 May 2013 at 01:47

    That's a wonderful picture of all three together. Another great paint job Michael. I enjoyed this series you did.
    Rod

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:55

      Thank you Rod, I was thrilled to see them altogether again.

      Delete
  14. James Brewerton7 May 2013 at 04:04

    another great figure and interesting history. Thanks for sharing
    Peace James

    ReplyDelete
  15. Millsy7 May 2013 at 05:35

    Wonderful stuff. What a trio!

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:56

      That is very kind of you to say so, thank you.

      Delete
  16. DeanM7 May 2013 at 07:17

    Superbly painted character figure. Best, Dean

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  17. Sidney Roundwood7 May 2013 at 08:40

    A very fine figure, Michael. A wonderful piece of history, and another chap featured in "Flashman at the Charge", no?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:56

      Thank you Sidney, I think you are right too.

      Delete
  18. PanzerKaput7 May 2013 at 10:51

    I love the factual history that you give with the figure it is both interesting and amazing to know the real life of these characters. Great painting skill on show Michael.

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    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:58

      Thank you Pete, I do enjoy the history behind these larger than life characters.

      Delete
  19. Sean McLachlan7 May 2013 at 11:20

    Nobody's asked about the guy with the meat cleaver. Have I missed something? :-)

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    Replies
    1. Sean McLachlan7 May 2013 at 11:21

      Oho! I should have scrolled down. Great figure! I would have retreated if I saw that guy charging at me. I wouldn't want to end up as commissary stores.

      Delete
    2. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:58

      A fearsome chap, particularly if you came between him and his grog!

      Delete
  20. Rodger7 May 2013 at 11:31

    Top notch work Michael!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 13:42

    Thank you Andrew, really pleased to see the three reunited.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sean7 May 2013 at 15:41

    Smart looking figure and the three look good together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Awdry7 May 2013 at 17:08

      Thank you Sean, that is very kind of you to say so.

      Delete
  23. Curt7 May 2013 at 18:49

    Lovely work Mr. Awdry! I admire his pinstriped trousers and his glorous muttonchops. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Stefan (aka. Monty)8 May 2013 at 09:48

    Hi Micheal,

    once again an absolutely lovely figure. Excellent!

    Cheers
    Stefan

    ReplyDelete
  25. EinarOlafson9 May 2013 at 00:53

    Another fantastic painting job !! Very nice miniature!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. DaveD9 May 2013 at 11:37

    Damn fine work good sir

    ReplyDelete
  27. Captain Richard's miniature Civil War9 May 2013 at 18:44

    Once again Michael...some great work

    ReplyDelete
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