DISPATCHES
May 2025

Hi Guys,
     Welcome to the merry month of May and what I’m calling our ‘PER MARE PER TERRAM’ month.
     Let me explain, as some of you may know, those four words in Ancient Latin are the motto of my old Corps…  The Royal Marines and can be translated as ‘By Sea and By Land’ and that reflects quite nicely on some of this particular month’s releases and the background behind them…
     As you read on you’ll hopefully see what I’m talking about, so let’s get cracking!

1. BEING RELEASED THIS MONTH

A. ‘The Heroes of Trafalgar’

The Battle of Trafalgar, that took place on 21 October 1805, was the greatest sea battle of the 19^th Century and was fought between the Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the France and Spain.
It was to be the prelude to Napoleon’s planned invasion of Great Britain and, if it had succeeded, would have allowed Bonaparte to take control of the English Channel and provide his Grande Armée safe passage to the shores of southern England.
 

LET BATTLE COMMENCE!

          The combined enemy fleet sailed out from the Spanish port of Cadiz on 18 October 1805 and was met by a British fleet under the command of Vice Admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson.
          This encounter happened, three days later, on 21 October 1805 along the southwest coast of Spain off Cape Trafalgar.
          Nelson’s command was outnumbered with just 27 ships-of-the-line compared to 33 similar Franco Spanish vessels including what was then the largest warship in the world, the Spanish ‘Santisima Trinidad’ mounting almost 140 guns on 4 gundecks!
          To address this imbalance Nelson sailed his fleet (in two long columns) directly at the enemy’s battle line flank splitting the Franco-Spanish fleet into three sections.
          Although this offensive tactic divided the enemy it also exposed the leading British ships to intense crossfire as they approached the enemy line.
          Nelson’s own flagship, H.M.S. VICTORY led the front column becoming heavily engaged and almost put out of action.
          It was then, in the heat of battle, that Nelson himself was shot by a sharp-shooter firing from the upper rigging of the French ship ‘Redoutable’.
          Taken below deck the mortally wounded Admiral died shortly before the battle ended.
          By the end of the day however the French and Spanish combined fleet had 17 of their ships captured and 1 ship-of-the-line destroyed, the British lost none!
          As for human losses… the enemy had 4,395 killed and more than 2,500 wounded plus around 7,500 captured.
          On the British side… 485 sailors and marines were killed with just over 1,200 wounded and… one Vice Admiral lost in action.

 

GMT001 “The Death of Nelson” This unique six figure set captures the moment Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson was fatally wounded on the upper deck of HMS Victory.  Nelson is shown fallen down and being held by his flag captain and friend, Captain Thomas Hardy.  One of the ship’s surgeons is also assisting the wounded Nelson while a Royal Marine officer looks protectively on.   Also in the scene is a young Midshipman calling for assistance as a nearby sailor rushes over the help. In addition to the figures there is also a vintage full-colour printed backdrop of the area on the quarter deck of H.M.S. Victory where Nelson fell. All of these six figures are supported by GMT002 “Shooting The Sharpshooter”

GMT002 “Shooting The Sharpshooter”It is widely accepted that the French Sharpshooter who fatally shot Vice Admiral Nelson was positioned high up in the mizzen-top of the ‘Redoutable’ which was locked in battle with H.M.S. Victory.  Two Marines and one young Midshipman, John Pollard, brought up their muskets and then opened fire on the enemy rifleman with Pollard’s musket ball finding its mark as the lone Frenchman fell down and toppled onto the hard, wooden deck below. This little trio of British naval figures shows Pollard firing the fatal shot as two more ‘Bootnecks’* back him up.

*‘Bootnecks’: A slang term for a Royal Marine, somewhat similar to the U.S.M.C. ‘Leatherneck’. Both nicknames were derived from the leather stock once worn around the neck by the two different Marine Corps.

AVAILABLE: Mid May

B. ‘The Wild Colonial Boy’ 

Last July 2024, on my most recent trip down to Australia, to meet with K&C’s dealers and collectors in that amazing country, I previewed a sketch line drawing of Australia’s most famous ‘bushranger’, outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, convicted police murderer and general ‘ne’er-do-well, Edward Kelly better known to friend and foe alike as ‘Ned Kelly’ (1854-1880).
Like many before him and quite a few since ‘Ned’ was raised in hard rural poverty, the third of eight children of Irish parents.His father, a transported convict, died in 1866, leaving the young Ned as the eldest son of the household.
As a poor, impoverished family the Kelly’s considered themselves, not unsurprisingly, as downtrodden by their more fortunate neighbours and as hapless victims of persecution by the local Victoria Police.
While still a teenager, young Ned served two prison terms for a number of criminal offences, the second of which kept him in jail for three years 1871-1874.
After release Ned, once more, returned to his life of crime and picked up where he left off…Stealing cattle and committing ‘armed robbery’.
    In 1878, Ned took part in a violent incident at his family home where a Policeman was seriously injured and Ned was indicted for the law officer’s attempted murder.
Fleeing to the ‘bush’ Ned vowed revenge after his elderly mother was imprisoned as an accomplice to his crimes.
A short time later Ned and some of his criminal confederates shot dead three policemen with the government of Victoria proclaiming Ned and his gang out-and-out outlaws… with a very large bounty on their heads!
       For the next two years Ned and his Gang ranged far and wide causing mayhem and committing various crimes that included killing Aaron Sherritt, a one-time friend who had since turned police informant.
At the same time, in a hand-written ‘manifesto’ Ned denounced the State Police, the government of Victoria and…The entire British Empire for all his misfortunes.He also demanded justice for his family and the rural poor as well as threatening dire consequences against anyone who opposed him.
Finally, in late June 1880, in the small town of Glenrowan, Victoria, Ned and a number of his gang were cornered and surrounded by a police contingent of around forty officers.
More than 150 rounds of ammunition were exchanged between the policeman and the outlaws over many hours as the battle waxed and waned throughout the night.
Then just after dawn (about 7 a.m.), Ned, clad in home-made, sheet armour and topped with a bucket-like steel helmet appeared with no less than three handguns and began firing at the surrounding policemen.Police returned fire as Ned staggered around already wounded and bearing the heavy weight of his armour and the impact of police bullets striking it.
Eventually, Ned was brought down by two shotgun blasts to his unprotected legs and thighs.
Immediately the police surrounded and disarmed him before having a doctor attend to his many wounds.
Later, he was found to have suffered no less than 28 injuries including serious gunshot wounds to his left elbow, right foot and several flesh wounds and all kinds of other cuts and abrasions from bullets striking but not penetrating his home-made ‘suit-of-iron’.
       Ned Kelly’s criminal trial began on 19 October 1880 and was completed on 28 October of the same year with a finding of ‘guilty as charged’ and the sentence of ‘death by hanging’ to be carried out on 11 November.Justice was swift in those days!
     Shortly before the sentence of death was executed Ned’s long suffering mother visited him in the Melbourne Gaol and told her son, “Mind you die like a Kelly!”
     A day later, at 10am, Ned Kelly in hand cuffs was led out of the condemned cell to the prison’s execution chamber where his ankles were then bound together by a strong, thick leather strap.A black cloth hood then covered his head before the hangman’s sturdy rope noose was placed securely around his neck.A few seconds later a lever was pulled, the trapdoor sprung open and Australia’s most famous criminal was dispatched into eternity and everlasting fame.
After his hanging several reports of the event gave varying accounts of Ned’s last words.For me the two best are: “Ah well, I suppose it has come to this!” and… “Such is life”.
Feel free to take your pick.


 

GMT003 “The Capture of Ned Kelly” This four-man set comprises the aforementioned Ned, complete with his home-made suit of armour and armed to the teeth with three different revolvers. On his head, Ned is protected by an almost medieval-shaped, bucket-like helmet that on top is open to the elements and hopefully, a little fresh air. Opposing this ‘wild colonial boy’ are three of Victoria’s police troopers armed with both carbines and revolvers and probably worried that their bullets are having little or no effect on the well protected Ned.A great little set and a fond reminder of Australia’s most famous outlaw!

AVAILABLE: Mid May
 

C. ‘On The Streets of Ancient Rome’

Here you can see no less than 8 more sets and individual additions to the civilian side of Rome’s history and very-different aspects of everyday street life in Rome itself.
 Oh, and by the way, the Ancient Latin I referred to at the beginning of this issue of ‘DISPATCHES’ refers to the Latin that was spoken on those ancient cobblestones two millennium ago.
It’s also a reminder to me personally of my own ancient past when I began attending my senior secondary school in Paisley, Scotland.
For the first two years, from 12-14 years of age, classic Latin was compulsory for all pupils and I well remember this little rhyme…
“Latin is a dead language
 As dead as dead can be
 It almost killed the Romans
 And now, it’s killing me!”

 

 

RnB055 “The Monument Makers Set" (2 x figures + a monument) The owner of a monument-making company extols the virtues and artistry of his skilled craftsman as he completes this hand-carved, hand-painted stone pedestal.
RnB060 “The Pottery Maker Set" (1 Potter + Assorted Pots) This seated worker concentrates on the task at hand as he adds the finishing touches to his clay pot before it is carefully placed into the baking oven for hardening. By his side are several other examples of his handwork.
RnB061 “The Roman Mosaic Artist"  This kneeling artisan is completing a beautiful and highly detailed mosaic decoration piece that will grace the wall of a wealthy Roman villa or perhaps the shop front of a popular merchant. As he carefully puts each tiny piece into place he reaches into his box for the next coloured fragment of tile.
RnB064 “The Questioning Senator"  This high-born Senator is listening to another’s opinion and, perhaps, not-too-sure of the veracity of the point of view being expressed.
RnB065 “The Roman Nobleman"  Not a senator, just a member of the Roman nobility going about his everyday business and observing the world about him.
RnB070 “The Poor Beggar"  Life on the streets of Ancient Rome could be harsh as well as difficult if you had no job…  no family… and no future. For some unfortunates it was not all bread and circuses and the glories of the Roman Empire.
RnB072 “The Boar Hunters Set"  (Two Hunters, a dead Wild Boar and a live hungry dog) After a hard day pursuing their prey through one of the forests surrounding Rome this lucky pair of hunters are transporting this fine looking wild boar to their favorite butcher and a handsome reward for their efforts. Alongside them is their powerful hunting dog ever-hopeful for a chunk or two of the offcuts after the animal is butchered.
RnB073 “The Master Butcher"  Talking of butchery… here is one more butcher to go with our earlier release.  Here we see the “Master Butcher” selecting and then chopping up the best and most selected ‘cuts’ for his chosen customers to choose from.

AVAILABLE: Mid May

D. ‘Charlie Is On The Move’

It’s been a wee while since we added some ‘Victor Charlies’ to our release schedule and so, as a little departure from Ancient Rome, the wilds of Australia and the deck of a British Man O’War in the age of sail we’re moving once again into the dense jungles of South East Asia and the paddy fields of South Vietnam anytime during the 1960s…

 

VN191 “The Viet Cong Patrol" (A4 figure Set) Led by a young, black-clad female scout this little group is making its way forward to a predesignated position. Well-armed with the ubiquitous and very reliable AK47 and carrying an RPG-7 shoulder-fired, anti tank weapon this small group packs a punch and is a serious threat to any ARVN or U.S. forces they might bump into on their way. Normally, they preferred to move at night and rest up during daylight hours relying on their own local knowledge of enemy locations and friendly villagers to guide them. These latest four ‘Victor Charlies’ will reinforce any V.C. or N.V.A. Unit you have in your Vietnam collection… Check ‘em out!

AVAILABLE: Mid May

 

2. BEING RETIRED THIS MONTH…

Well here’s a little news for you… As far as retirals go there’s only

one this month but it’s a BIG ONE!

 

“Remember The Alamo”

This has been one of K&C’s signature series for many years however

for quite some time now I have been wanting to ‘redo’ the entire series and come up with a whole new look and feel to this classic story of the famous siege and battle that helped shape Texas history.

And so ALL of our existing figures are being retired while we redesign and reimagine that famous event as we move towards the 190th Anniversary of The Alamo in March 2026.

If you’re interested in “Remember The Alamo” now is the time to pick up the original series while they are still available and, at the same time, look forward to what will come next!

RTA001 “General Santa Anna (Mounted)”
RTA016 “Jesse B. Bowman, TN - Loading”
RTA048 “Fighting Jim Bowie”
RTA050 “Gallant Colonel Travis”
RTA055 “Joe”
RTA065 “Almeron Dickinson”
RTA066 “General Cos”
RTA068 “Antonio Fuentes”
RTA070 “Charles Henry Clark”
RTA086 “Advancing Firing”
RTA087 “Firing New Orleans Grey”
RTA088 “Pistoleer”
RTA097 “Two Dead Mexicans”
RTA098 “Charging Forward”
RTA099 “Advancing”
RTA100 “Wounded Mexican Soldier”
RTA101 “Lying Dead Mexican Soldier (face up)”
RTA102 “Lying Dead Mexican Soldier (face down)”
RTA103 “Reloading”
RTA104 “Kneeling Ready”
RTA105 “Standing Firing”
RTA106 “Kneeling Firing”
RTA107 “Tennessee Woodsman”
RTA108 “James Murray Brown”
RTA109 “Joseph Kerr, New Orleans Greys”
RTA110 “The Flagbearer”
RTA111 “Samuel B. Blair”
RTA112 “William Lightfoot of Kentucky”
RTA113 “John Purdy Reynolds of Pennsylvania”
RTA118 “Squire Daymon”
RTA119 “Burke Trammel”
RTA120 “James C. Gwynne”
RTA121 “Andrew M. Nelson”
RTA122 “Joshua Smith”

And that’s the story for May, all the best to one and all and, of course happy collecting!

 

Andy C. Neilson

Co-founder & Creative Director

King & Country Ltd.