“You Broke A British Square” The Battle of Tamai with Ian McLeod
Location:
Royal Hospital Chelsea (Soane Stable Activity Space, Royal Hospital Chelsea via Chelsea Gate. )
Date & time:
Sunday 4 Oct 2026, 3.00pm - 4.00pm
Price:
£12.00 (plus £2 booking fee per transaction)
Ian McLeod will describe the events leading to the battle, the battle itself and the subsequent events. He will share personal experiences of the battlefield as it stands today and will tell of links between the battle and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
About the event
In March 1884, in eastern Sudan, a British force clashed with Mahdist warriors in a fierce and bloody battle during which the Sudanese fighters, armed mainly with spears and swords, broke a British infantry square and inflicted the greatest number of casualties of all the battles during the Anglo-Sudan campaigns.
Although a British victory, it resulted in a lasting respect by the British soldiers of the bravery and skill of their adversaries.
The events of this battle inspired the well-known poet, Rudyard Kipling, to write a stirring poem to this effect.
Festival planning
Getting between Chelsea History Festival venues: This event takes place at Royal Hospital Chelsea. Many Chelsea History Festival venues are within walking distance of one another, but journey times vary. If you are booking events close together, please allow enough time to travel comfortably between venues.
Estimated walking times from this venue: 3 minutes to National Army Museum, 5 minutes to Garrison Chapel, 8 minutes to Chelsea Physic Garden, 9 minutes to Royal Court Theatre, 11 minutes to Cadogan Hall, 16 minutes to Chelsea Old Church and 25 minutes to Chelsea Theatre.
Additional information
To enter the Activity Space, please arrive via Chelsea Gate into the Soane Stable Yard. A member of our team will greet you, scan your ticket, and guide you inside. We look forward to welcoming you to your talk.
About the speaker
Ian McLeod is a Friend of and Volunteer at the Royal Hospital, and a former career officer in the British Army. After 35 years, he retired in the rank of brigadier and subsequently worked in various conflict areas in stabilisation and humanitarian roles. His last post in the Army was the Defence Adviser to the British High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan, which gave him the opportunity to visit many of the battlefields of the British era, Chillianwala being his ‘first choice’.
FAQs
Is the Royal Hospital Chelsea accessible?Yes, the Royal Hospital Chelsea is fully accessible. If you need further access information or help please do get in touch tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk or call 0207 881 5200.
Bikes (including folding bikes) and scooters are not permitted. There are bike racks located along Royal Hospital Road. These can be used to secure any bikes and scooters.
Please do not secure any bikes or scooters to the railings outside the Royal Hospital Chelsea or Burton Court. Any items secure to these railings will be removed.
Online booking is available 24/7 on this website.
You can book by phone on 0131 226 0014 from Monday – Friday 10 – 6pm from 10 July but will need to make payment at the time. We cannot reserve tickets.
You can book in person at the National Army Museum from Wednesday 25 – Sunday 29th if there is still availability at that time, which we cannot guarantee.
Please see the full terms & conditions on the booking platform when you book tickets.
The booking fee is £2.00 and this applies online, on the telephone and in person.
All tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, with the exception of cancelled events which we will refund within 28 days. The organising venue reserves the right to change event speakers and content may be subject to change. Refunds will not be issued if the event is still taking place.
There are no concessions for Chelsea History Festival tickets, which have been priced as reasonably as possible. People requiring a carer, support worker or personal assistant will get a complimentary carer ticket. To book this please contact our box office on 0131 226 0014.
Proof of concession is required for these tickets so please be prepared to show relevant ID.
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