With Them Goes Light Bobbee: A First Hand Account of the Indian Mutiny of 1857, by a Junior Officer of the 52nd Light Infantry

Hard fighting with the Light Infantry at Delhi

The author of this book, a young ensign aged just nineteen years old when the events he describes were experienced, was a member of the 52nd Light Infantry serving in India in 1857 as the Sepoy Mutiny burst like a storm of fire and blood upon the imperial sub-continent. As one of the most junior officers in his regiment, his campaign and combat experiences are equally as immediate as those of the other ranks in whose midst he marched and fought and so make compelling reading for the modern student of the period. The 52nd already had an illustrious history by the time of the Mutiny. It had served with distinction as part of Wellington’s Light Division in the Peninsular War and under the inspired command of Colborne had been instrumental in the destruction of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard at Waterloo. With young Wilberforce proudly taking his turn to carry its colours the 52nd was about to write yet another memorable and bloody chapter in its history. This book focus’s on the siege, storm and street fighting that took place to retake the city of Delhi from the rebel forces. There are few better accounts of the gruelling action than that of given in this book. Wilberforce takes the reader into the heart of the action and describes with detail and affection the doings of the regiments who fought beside them including, of course, old comrades of the 60th Rifles. Both now form parts of the modern British Army regiment The Rifles. The gigantic figure and personality of John Nicholson strides through these pages and Wilberforce conveys much of the near adoration which this remarkable man inspired in both British and Indians alike. Recommended. Available in softcover and hardcover with dustjacket.