Allan Lawrence Mallinson | |
---|---|
Born | Yorkshire | 6 February 1949
Occupation | British Army officer (retired), Novelist |
Citizenship | British |
Education | St Chad's College in Durham |
Genre | Historical novels, Military history |
Notable works | Hervey series |
Brigadier Allan Lawrence Mallinson (born 6 February 1949) is an English author and retired British Army officer.
Mallinson is best known for writing a series of novels chronicling the (fictional) life of Matthew Hervey, an officer serving in the (fictional) British 6th Light Dragoons from the late Napoleonic Wars through subsequent colonial conflicts in India, North America and South Africa.
Mallinson was born on 6 February 1949 in Yorkshire, England, to Alfred and Edith Mallinson. From 1966, he trained for the Anglican priesthood at St Chad's College in Durham. [1]
Mallinson took a break from his theological studies to join the Army in 1969, joining the King's Own Royal Border Regiment as a Second Lieutenant on probation, [2] and served with the infantry in Cyprus, Malaysia, Northern Ireland and Germany. He was confirmed as a Second Lieutenant in 1970, [3] promoted to Lieutenant on 11 February 1971, [4] and promoted to Captain on 11 August 1975, [5] and acting Major on 1 September 1979.[ citation needed ].
He transferred to the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) on 28 October 1980, [6] and was promoted to substantive Major on 30 September 1981. [7] He served in Whitehall, Norway, Cyprus and again in Germany. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 31 December 1988 (with seniority from 30 June 1988), [8] commanding his Regiment from 1988 to 1991. He was promoted to acting Colonel on 1 December 1992,[ citation needed ] and to substantive rank on 30 June 1993 [9] and then to Brigadier on 1 September 1999.[ citation needed ]
His last Army appointment was as Military Attaché at the British Embassy, Rome. He retired from active service on 16 March 2004. [10]
Beginning as a Cornet at Waterloo, Matthew Hervey of the 6th Light Dragoons, and son of the vicar of Horningsham finds himself in many of the colonial military actions thereafter, including Ireland, Canada, India, South Africa, Burma and the Balkans. His climb through the ranks is neither fast nor easy, as the son of a vicar does not have the private means to readily buy promotion. His romantic life is also more turbulent than might be expected of a vicar's son. Despite his personal trials he makes a very human effort to remain a man of honor, and the adversities he faces change him perceptibly as a character throughout the series. As the impressionable cornet is tried and tested his touchstone remains his fellow dragoons, to several of whom he becomes very close.
The series is highly detailed with regard to the daily operations of a cavalry regiment, campaigning and at barracks. Matthew Hervey's social life also demonstrates for the reader many of the customs and proprieties of English society in the early to mid 1800s. Also of note, unlike many books of either fiction or non-fiction, equestrian details related to tack, training, riding and equestrian health are specific and frequent. Much like the Patrick O'Brian character Stephen Maturin's medical practice, the various troop veterinary surgeons of the 6th Light Dragoons are often consulted and they give the reader some interesting insight into the evolution of veterinary practice. Matthew Hervey's familiarity with the subject contributes greatly to the sensation of being transported to the life of a cavalryman.
In UK hardback publication order, the Hervey novels are:
The 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army established in 1715. It saw service for three centuries including the First World War and Second World War but then amalgamated with the 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales' Own) to form the Royal Hussars in 1969.
Clement Walker Heneage, VC was a British Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
The Light Dragoons (LD) is a cavalry regiment in the British Army. The regiment has a light cavalry role and specialises in mounted and dismounted reconnaissance. The Light Dragoons recruit mainly in Northern England, from County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, South Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire. For this reason, the regiment is known as "England's Northern Cavalry". It is currently based in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.
The 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army raised in 1715. It saw service for three centuries including the First World War and Second World War but then amalgamated with the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) to form the Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own) in October 1969.
The 13th Hussars was a cavalry regiment of the British Army established in 1715. It saw service for three centuries including the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War and the First World War but then amalgamated with the 18th Royal Hussars, to form the 13th/18th Royal Hussars in 1922.
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