“WITH A TOW, ROW, ROW FOR THE BRITISH GRENADIERS!”
The refrain of the song “The British Grenadiers” celebrated these elite warriors who were recruited from the tallest, strongest, and most disciplined men of the regiments. The single grenadier company of the 5th was tasked to lead attacks and act as shock troops to break through enemy lines. In some cases the grenadier company was joined to the grenadier companies of other regiments to form their own battalion.
The 5th Regiment of Foot (later Northumberland) arrived in the colonies in late 1774 to garrison Boston amid growing colonial unrest. On April 18, 1775, it was grenadiers of the 5th that were part of the advance guard sent to confiscate colonial arms at Concord and the first to engage with the militia. They were heavily involved in the retreat and suffered many casualties.
At Breed’s Hill on June 17th they were part of all three frontal attacks. In the third and final assault against the redoubt grenadiers of the 5th helped successfully route the colonists at the point of their bayonets. It was a Pyrrhic victory though as the grenadier company was decimated and would take months to rebuild.
This hard plastic box set includes enough parts to build 30 28mm Grenadiers. They are armed with the iconic Brown Bess musket and wear the distinctive bearskin cap that made them appear even taller and more menacing. The set features a mix of advancing, firing, and loading poses perfect to depict skirmishers and troops in the heat of battle.
