The Thirteenth Hussars in the Great War

A vivid portrait of a cavalry regiment that spanned two centuries, this volume follows the Thirteenth Hussars from their Edwardian roots through the harrowing first years of the Great War. Filled with contemporary photographs, maps and colourful plates, it brings the regiment’s uniforms, horses and daily routines to life, while also setting the broader strategic backdrop of 1914‑1915. The opening chapters trace the unit’s hurried departure from India, its early training in the trenches of France, and the shock of exchanging saber for rifle amidst the mud‑filled front lines.

The narrative weaves in personal letters, diary excerpts and eyewitness accounts that reveal the camaraderie, fear and humor shared by officers and rank‑and‑file alike. Readers are guided through the regiment’s first engagements— from the desolate sandpits of the Western Front to the scorching deserts of Mesopotamia—capturing both the monotony of camp life and the sudden eruptions of combat. Richly illustrated and thoughtfully composed, the book offers an intimate glimpse into the lived experience of a storied cavalry unit at the very start of the conflict.