PNS Publications

The Portsmouth Napoleonic Society

'Over The Hills and Far Away'

Books and Publications:

We hope to be able to offer some of our own publications and several others on the website:

A New Publication from the Portsmouth Napoleonic Society

Major Henry Bowyer Lane

Memoirs of a Peninsular War Rocket Man

Gazetted a Second Lieutenant of the Royal Artillery in 1799, Henry Bowyer Lane had a service career spanning some 27 years and saw action from the earliest days of the Napoleonic wars.

In writing this memoir, Henry’s son, Frederick used his father’s manuscript to privately publish a short biography, with the view of adding this honourable veteran to the already long list of distinguished officers of that service.

The background information, maps and footnotes are provided by the editor to set the overall scene of events that Henry found himself involved, including, Egypt, Oporto, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentas de Onoro, culminating in his promotion into the newly formed Rocket Corps toward the termination of the Peninsular War and then the ill-fated expedition to New Orleans.

Originally published in 1883, this work has long been unavailable, and is a very welcome complement for any enthusiast’s library.