Why play Colonial Wargames?

Queen Victoria

I have been playing and enjoying colonial wargames on and off for many years, and I am always drawn back to them because:

  • I can fight short, interesting campaigns;

  • I can fight battles to a conclusion in an evening;

  • I can include elements of role-play into my table-top games;

  • I can integrate matrix arguments into my campaign and table-top games;

  • I can use simple rules;

  • And most importantly, they are extremely good fun!

Queen Victoria

The sand of the desert is sodden red - Red with the wreck of a square that broke - The Gatling's jammed and the colonel dead, And the regiment blind with dust and smoke. The river of death has brimmed its banks, And England's far, and Honour a name, But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks, 'Play up! play up! and play the game!'

Extract from Vitai Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt

Contents

For you all loves the screw guns - the screw guns they all loves you! So when we calls round with a few guns, o' course you will know what to do - hoo! hoo! Just send in your Chief and surrender -  it's worse if you fights or you runs: You may go where you please, you can skid up the trees, but you don't get away from the guns!

Extract from Screw Guns by Rudyard Kipling

Acknowledgments

Ashanti War medal

This website was inspired by Eric Knowles's Madasahatta Campaign (which I took part in many years ago) and the Major General Tremorden Rederring's Colonial Era Wargames Page website.

Credit must also be given to the numerous books I have read, the poetry of Rudyard Kipling - and William McGonagall - and the videos and DVDs I have watched.

Last - but by no means least - mention should be made of the many wargamers who share my passion for colonial wargaming, and with whom I have played wargames and exchanged ideas for more years than I care to remember. They are too numerous to mention, but they know who they are!

China War medal

So 'ere's to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan; You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man; An' 'ere's to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, with your 'ayrick 'ead of 'air - You big black boundin' beggar - for you broke a British square!

Extract from Fuzzy-Wuzzy by Rudyard Kipling

Feedback

Gatling Gun

If you have any comments or questions about this website, please contact Bob Cordery.

Maxim Gun

'Whatever happens, we have got The Maxim Gun, and they have not.'

Extract from The Modern Traveller by Hilaire Belloc

Disclaimer and Legal Notice

HMS Gannet

Please note that no part of this website may be copied, reproduced, disseminated, modified, or published without express permission from Bob Cordery in the form of a letter, fax, or e-mail.
Bob Cordery retains the intellectual rights to everything contained herein in perpetuity, and asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
The people, places, organisations, and events described herein are fictional, and exist only in the imagination of the writer and the reader. Any resemblance to real people, places, organisations, or events is purely coincidental.
Nothing on this website should be construed as advocating colonialism, denigrating native peoples, or promoting any particular political, racial, social, or moral agenda or viewpoint.

HMS Warrior

© Robert George Cordery (2006)