The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

On the subject of Waterloo dioramas the classic is the one made by Captain William Siborne a topographical engineer that was completed in 1838. It is now part of the National Army Museum study collection, it is few years now since I last visited to look at the diorama and at that time it wasn't open for general view but by appointment only.

The fascinating story of Siborne and his diorama and how he fell foul of the Duke of Wellington and the rigour in which the old duke would only tolerate his version of event at Waterloo is well described in Peter Hofschroer's book Wellington's Smallest Victory .

dromia...

Thanks for the information regarding Capt William Sibornes and Hofschroer's book: one to buy I fancy:

http://www.amazon.com/Wellingtons-Small ... 0571217699

A review of the book here:

http://www.napoleon-series.org/reviews/ ... llest.html

I visited the National Army Museum online site, but I can't find any mention of Siborne's Diorama I wonder if it no longer exists.

Article here on the diorama at peninsula barracks Winchester:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... erloo.html

Interestingly (to me anyway) there is a Hougoumont farm' just five minutes from my house and it does have a Waterloo connection.

From Wiltshire Community History Collingbourne Ducis:

In the mid 19th century the Ailesburys named the farm Hougoumont Farm and built its farmhouse. This was concurrent with the renaming and rebuilding of the very similar Mount Orleans farmhouse. Both names are taken from Belgian farms on either side of the site of the battle of Waterloo where the Marquis of Ailesbury's two sons were killed.

I haven't come across Mount Orleans Farmhouse (yet) in reading about the battle.

Jenks

Jenks wrote:dromia...

I visited the National Army Museum online site, but I can't find any mention of Siborne's Diorama I wonder if it no longer exists.


Jenks

But Jenks, you must realise that the world has been dumbed down! Try using the word "model".

http://www.nam.ac.uk/online-collection/ ... 75-05-56-1

Good to see you posting again.

Tom

Tom...

Try using the word "model".

Now that never occurred to me. Doh!

Apparently the Museum and the Model/Diorama are being refurbished and won't be available for viewing until the end of next year. I'm hoping to visit the battlefield again in the early spring Perhaps I will get to spend a little longer there this time (migrants permitting)

Jenks

Interesting little film about Siborne's Waterloo model:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwXSQUwBPGk


Jenks

The Combined Military Services Museum in Maldon, Essex

http://www.cmsm.co.uk

Excellent collection of arms and armour through the ages. I was lucky enough to visit with the HBSA, where we were privileged to view and examine some of the exhibits from the Donnington collection.

An amazing collection of firearms and items from WW2, including SOE equipment. Very well worth a visit.

http://www.fortrinella.com/

100 ton Gun unfortunately only fired once a year .........

................. the air museum is also interesting. Ta Quali http://www.maltaaviationmuseum.com/

Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum at Lyness on Hoy, Orkney is well worth a visit, I rate it as the best visitor attraction in Orkney. You have to get a ferry to Hoy from Houton, Orphir (on the mainland island) and this takes about 40 minutes. When there you can also take a short walk up to the Lyness naval cemetery where the memorial service was just held to mark to 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland. Once you get a look around the attraction and the remaining infrastructure from the 2nd world war you only then begin to realise how important Orkney was as a naval base during both world wars.

I've yet to speak to anyone that's been there that hasn't been impressed.

Andy632 wrote:The Great Glen Scotland.

Hire a motor cruiser and cruise down & up the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Fort William; it will knock your socks off.

I will second that...a really memorable experience in more ways than one...it certainly convinced me that I was not qualified to hire a cruiser off the west Coast!

I would absolutely love to do it again

regards

Geoff

Owned and operated by one of the UK's foremost arms and armour historians, the fort is the first mass concrete example in the UK.

With an exemplary collection and a superb location this site is well worth a good few hours of your time.

The owners, George and Emma Geear have rescued and opened the fort and collection to visitors.

All you have to do is find them near Angle on the Pembrokeshire coast, just past Castlemartin.