Dispatches

DISPATCHES
August 2025

Hi Guys,

      Before I begin this month’s ‘DISPATCHES’ allow me to express my gratitude to a pair of special friends down under who made my most recent visit to the ‘Land of Oz’ so enjoyable and memorable.
     In Brisbane, I was fortunate to stay as a guest of Mark Harrison who has one of the finest collections of toy soldiers not only in Queensland but all of Australia. Apart from an amazing selection of K&C items across a wide range of different series Mark’s collection also includes other fine examples from other global toy soldier makers.
     While in Brisbane, thanks to Mark, I got to view another fine collection belonging to Mr. Phil Charlwood before visiting ‘The Military Workshop’, K&C’s long-standing K&C dealer which, following the untimely death of Brett Williams, has passed to his son Anthony.
     Anthony along with his fiance Leilani have worked wonders on the store, reorganizing it and almost creating a brand-new shop complete with some incredible displays and additional ease of access to view all their toy soldier offerings.    This was a huge job and very well executed… If you’re in the Brisbane area make a point of visiting The ‘new’ Military Workshop – you will not be disappointed!
     While in Brisbane, I was also invited to open a special ‘VIETNAM’ exhibit in the Officers Mess at the city’s Victoria Barracks utilizing many of K&C’s own ‘Vietnam’ series of figures, vehicles and aircraft belonging to the aforementioned Mark and Phil.
     Yet one more Brisbane highlight was the K&C Dinner Event organized by our good friend Sven de Braekeleir of Peter Nathan Toy Soldiers in Sydney. In previous years this had been set up by the late Brett Williams however with Brett’s passing Sven stepped into the breach and organized an excellent ‘Saturday Night Dinner’ which was well attended by almost 40 participants and a great time was had by all, including myself.
     The following day, Sunday, I flew down to Sydney and spent five days working with Sven and his wife Sonya at Peter Nathan Toy Soldiers in the business heart of this great Australian city.
     As a side note, Sydney is also one of my favourite international destinations in the whole wide world. Its spectacular harbour complete with the iconic bridge and Opera House never fails to impress.
     On most of my last visits I have always stayed at ‘The Four Seasons’ hotel located right next to the historic ‘ROCKS’ area of Sydney, possibly the oldest part of the city and full of terrific galleries, restaurants and cafes.
     Among the many reasons I choose ‘The Four Seasons’ is to get a Harbour view room where I can enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over this stunning harbour. At the same time the hotel has a great little outdoor swimming pool where every morning I get to enjoy at least half an hour ‘doing laps’ before heading into ‘The Rocks’ and my favourite café for a typical Aussie breakfast followed by a brisk 20 minute walk to the new Peter Nathan Toy Soldiers shop on Druitt Street almost next to the old store in QVB (Queen Victoria Building).
     During this year’s working visit to the Sydney store I was able to discuss all aspects of the toy soldier business with both Sven and his wife Sonya who have now taken over the business from Peter after his own relatively recent retirement. I am delighted to report that the new, much larger store is going from strength-to-strength with a growing band of Aussie collectors and an even larger selection of King & Country’s many different historic collections!
     Talking of Aussie collectors… several of Sven’s top clientele flew into Sydney from other parts of the country to attend the K&C Event along with a fair number of Sydney regulars at our Thursday night gathering at an all-new venue!
     On my last full day in this great city I decided to treat myself to a big, bold tattoo (I’ve already got two very old ones).
     My design of choice was a large, distinctive and quite elaborate rendition of the badge of His Majesty’s Royal Marines!
     While exploring the city a few days earlier I had come upon a small tattoo parlor called ‘Thirteen Foot Tattoo’ and on a whim entered in and asked the young lady how much this particular design would cost. After studying my choice and agreeing the price I booked a session for a couple of days later.
     Two days on, at the appointed time, I arrived and met the tattoist, a talented young Asian / Aussie girl and she immediately got down to work.
     Delicately and skillfully the young lady worked her magic and after three long hours, Ⅰemerged from the parlor slightly more decorated than before but absolutely thrilled with the result. A perfect end to another great and enjoyable K&C ‘OzFest’ and with a unique and original momento for an old ‘Bootneck’ to remember it by!
   And now onto this month’s ‘DISPATCHES’.

1. BEING RELEASED THIS AUGUST…

A. ‘Pharaoh’s Chariot’

AE114 “Pharaoh’s Chariot”
In ancient Egyptian society, primarily the New Kingdom, chariots were used as both military weapons and a form of transport particularly for the wealthy, the nobility and, of course, the country’s highest rulers… The Pharaohs.
     It is widely recognized that the chariot itself was not an Egyptian invention but developed in other countries around the Near East where spoke-wheeled and horse-drawn chariots were first recorded in the early part of the second millennium B.C.
     These early chariots were mainly used for transportation purposes. With technological improvements to their structure the use of chariots for military operations began. Chariots were very effective for their high speed, mobility and strength which could not be matched by either infantry or cavalry at that time.
     Egyptian chariots of this period were made using a combination of highly flexible wood and leather compared to earlier versions normally constructed from solid wood.
     In addition, the Ancient Egyptian chariot builders relocated the axel of their vehicles towards the rear of the passenger platform thus increasing the speed, maneuverability and stability of the chariot itself.
     Among the finest-preserved examples of a classic ‘Pharaoh’s Chariot’ are the six specimens recovered from the tomb of the boy Pharaoh, Tutankhamun.
     These six, long-buried chariots varied in both design and functionality. Archaeologist Howard Carter described two of them as ‘State Chariots’, highly decorated in gold and covered with gesso and patterned with inlaid glass and ivory and obviously meant for important occasions and major ceremonies.
     This new King & Country example has taken many of these most important and decorative features to incorporate into its design.
     As can be seen this royal chariot is pulled by a pair of white Arabian stallions with a noble Pharaoh grasping the reins.
     Place this long-awaited set among any of our Ancient Egyptian scenes and you have the perfect centrepiece for any Egyptian Collection!

AVAILABLE: Mid-Late August

B. ‘Revolutionary Redcoats’

With the end of the ‘French and Indian War’ (1754 – 1763) peace and prosperity should have returned to the 13 British colonies in North America.
The ancient enemy, France, had been soundly defeated in both Europe and North America and Britain once more, ruled the seas with the Royal Navy reigning over a mighty colonial empire that extended far and wide across the globe.
Internally, the native American Indians had largely been suppressed or recruited as allies except for a brief but intense resurgence of hostilities in 1763.
The return of peace and safety to the 13 Colonies also brought about a small but important change to the way many colonists began to refer to themselves as ‘Americans’… and not ‘British’!
Even so, they still loudly cheered and toasted the British Army that had so recently helped protect and defend them against both their French and Indians adversaries.

WARNING SIGNS

Trouble, however was just over the horizon.For a long time, virtually since their establishment, the American Colonies had been largely left to govern themselves by the British Crown and Parliament.
Only in the recent war were large numbers of British troops actually committed to garrisoning the country.Also Great Britain had a very large financial deficit following the war and Parliament in faraway London firmly believed that their North American colonies should share in paying off that debt as a ‘quid pro quo’ act of fiscal gratitude.
To that end, Parliament began to unilaterally impose all kinds of taxes and restrictions on the colonies that the new ‘Americans’ interpreted as an affront to their hard-won independence and liberty.
The stage was now set for a mighty struggle that would humble a great European country and help forge a mighty new nation that eventually would span almost the entire North American continent from ocean to ocean.

1776-2026

To mark the 250^th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War that led to the founding of the United States of America King & Country is once more returning to those epic battles that took place throughout the former British Colonies and the soldiers of both sides who fought them.
This first release of ‘Revolutionary Redcoats’ introduces 13 soldiers of the 4^th Regiment of Foot, one of several ‘Royal Regiments’ that would serve in North America during the war.
Being designated a ‘Royal’ regiment was the usual reward as a battle honour for long and distinguished service in the field and allowed the regiment to have ‘Royal Blue’ as their facing colours on their uniforms.
The 4^th Foot’s nickname was ‘Barrell’s Blues’, taken from the name of a former commanding officer who led the regiment form 1734-1749.
Following the British Army reforms of 1751 the regiment was retitled the 4^th (King’s Own) Regiment of Foot and in 1775 was sent to North America.Over the next three years it took part in numerous actions including the battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Long Island and White Marsh.
The first British soldiers to die in the American Revolution were probably three men from the Light Company of the 4th Foot, who died at Concord Bridge in 1775.
In later centuries the 4^th Foot became the King’s Own Royal Regiment and fought in the Crimean War… the Boer War and the First and Second World Wars.
Today it forms part of the modern British Army’s ‘Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment’.

BR091 “*Redcoats Taking Aim” A pair of soldiers from the 4^th* *(King Own)* Regiment of Foot raise their ‘Brown Bess’ muskets and take careful aim at the American rebels. One kneeling and one standing.
BR092 “*Redcoats Advancing Forward*” Set #1 Two more British infantrymen from the same regiment advance upon the enemy.
BR093 *“Redcoats Advancing Forward”* Set#2 An additional pair of advancing Redcoats moving forward.
BR094 *“Casualties of War”* Set of 2 figures As one unfortunate Redcoat lies motionless another one attempts to get out of the line of fire.
BR095 *“Shouting Redcoat Officer”* This young officer shouts orders to his men as they engage the enemy. *Special Note:* Some junior officers would carry a musket and a private soldier’s equipment to make themselves less of a prime target for sharp-eyed rebel marksmen.
BR096 *“Priming The Musket”* This kneeling Redcoat having already fired his musket now ‘takes the knee’ to reload his ‘Brown Bess’ and prime the firing pan before letting loose another round.
BR097 *“Aaargh!”* One more American musket ball has found its mark on this particular Redcoat!
BR098 *“Caring For His Captain”* While the battle rages this Redcoat kneels down beside his mortally wounded officer as the unlucky man utters his final words.

AVAILABLE: Early August
SPECIAL NOTE:This is just the first installment of these new “Revolutionary Redcoats” … more are on the way in the coming months.

C. ‘STORMING THE CASTLE WALLS’

       Medieval Siege Warfare played a crucial part in miliary strategy during the Middle Ages from the 11^th Century onwards after castles became more widespread in both Europe and the Holy Land.
        In actual fact sieges were far more numerous than pitched battles and ranged from small-scale affairs against palisaded earthworks to full-scale assaults on vast stone strongholds.
        To assault and capture any castle, large or small, demanded a great number of foot soldiers as well as a fair number of specialized siege machines and contraptions that could break down enemy walls as well as assist the attacking force to scale the castle’s defences or assault through any breaches.
        Here are two perfect examples…

MK238 *‘The Medieval ‘Escalade’ Siege Ladder#1’* This six-wheeled Siege Ladder could be easily rolled up to any stone-walled defences and then extended upwards to allow teams of *Men-At-Arms* to climb up and get to grips with the defenders. At the same time archers and crossbow men from the attacking force would keep up a steady stream of arrows and bolts on the defenders positions forcing them to take cover behind their upper wall defences. Each of K&C’s ‘Escalade’ Siege Ladders comes with a team of three original climbing Men-At-Arms carrying an assortment of deadly weapons and shields. In addition each of these two sets comes packed in a full-colour, sturdy, presentation box.
MK247 *‘The Medieval ‘Escalade’ Siege Ladder#2’* This second ‘Escalade’ version has all the same features as #1 but has its very own team of three original climbing Men-At-Arms figures again holding a range of different weaponry and shields. Working alone or together these two machines of war will add an extra special touch of realism to any medieval display or collection.
MK-S08 *‘The Medieval ‘Escalade’ Siege Ladders’* *VALUE ADDED SET* Collectors purchasing both of these great Siege Sets get a very Special Price.
MK248 *‘The Medieval Drummer’* Now, here’s a figure that has been requested by a large number of MK collectors over the years. Well, their wish has been answered and here he is beating out a steady rhythm as his fellow Men-At-Arms get to grips with the enemy!

SP130 ‘The Castle Façade Backdrop’
Here is a brand-new way to make your medieval scenes come alive that won’t cost you a King’s Ransom or completely occupy your display cabinet!
King & Country’s ‘Castle Façade Backdrop’ SP-130 is a 3x section, full-colour rendition of the front façade of a typical medieval castle complete with towers and a main gate.
Produced in top quality foamboard this three piece facade also comes with three easy-to-assemble black boxes that support each of the castle wall sections and can also carry the weight of any defending figures.
All six pieces come flat-packed in a sturdy cardboard box and can be fully assembled in just a few minutes.
Here finally is a colourful, inexpensive and exciting new way to display your medieval collection.
Dimensions
         length : 74.5 cm. (29 3/8”)
        height : 23.0 cm. (9”)
         depth: 6.0 cm. (2 3/8”)
        (when fully assembled)

AVAILABLE: Early-Mid August

D. ‘AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT…’

From Medieval Times all the way back to Ancient Rome in one swift leap…

RnB075 ‘Centurion Lucius Vorenus’
In my humble opinion, one of the greatest depictions of Ancient Rome was the television series “ROME”, the historical drama that ran for two seasons from 2005-2007 and was set in the first century BC.
Although it featured real characters from that period of history including Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra to name but a few its main protagonists were two humble soldiers… Centurion Lucius Vorenus and Legionary Titus Pullo.
Being a fan of the series l’ve long-wanted to depict these two characters to include in our own ‘Streets of Ancient Rome’ collection and here is the first one, Lucius Vorenus.
In the series, this character is a veteran centurion of the 13^th Legion and struggles to balance his personal beliefs, his duty to his superiors and the needs of his family and friends.
In addition, he was portrayed by a great Scottish actor, Kevin Mckidd but that’s another story. This figure will look equally good surrounded by all of our Roman citizens on the streets of Ancient Rome or… on military duty with our large K&C collection of Roman soldiers.

AVAILABLE: Mid August

E. ‘… FINALLY,’

TRW210 ‘The Last Stand Trooper’
This wounded lying prone cavalry trooper will fit right in with many of our John Ford’s Cavalrymen already issued over the last few years.

AVAILABLE: Mid August
And that my friends is the month of August for you. But before I go here are the retirements for this month…

F. BEING RETIRED

As you can see they are all from our ‘Streets of Old Hong Kong’ series and a colourful collection into the bargain. If you collect this series and don’t have any of these particular sets grab ‘em while you can so you don’t have to pay crazy Ebay prices!

HK141 “New Street School”