Gunners with Red horse-hair helmets The author of this book set his heart on joining 'The Red Men'-the glamorous members of the Bengal Horse Artillery-during boyhood. He achieved his ambition and this book principally concerns his experiences with that famous regiment during the First Sikh War as the British Empire fought to curtail the power of the Sikhs of the Punjab in India. Bancroft was ever in the heart of the battle action and he has given his readers an intimate portrait of the mid-Victorian soldier on campaign during the six battles that could have cost the British India itself. Particularly interesting and enjoyable is his reporting of the speech of the soldiers themselves. It is full of colour and authenticity to the degree that is considered to be the inspiration for Kipling's famous Soldiers Three dialogue.