Mavericks: Empire, Oil, Revolution and the Forgotten Battle of World War One

When Russia crashed out of the First World War following the revolution in 1917, Britain was desperate to prevent its German and Turkish enemies seizing the oil-rich port of Baku on the Caspian Sea. But the country had few soldiers to spare and Baku was hundreds of miles from the nearest British Army.

So a ramshackle plan was thrown together by officials with little local knowledge to block the Turks, and a small group of enterprising, fearless and often reckless men were tasked with implementing it.

One was a charismatic and unorthodox career soldier, who had been the model for one of Rudyard Kipling’s most popular characters. One was a Scottish aristocrat and diplomat who smuggled millions of roubles for the war effort. One was a brilliant inventor and the youngest brother of one of the British army’s most senior generals. One was a seemingly indestructible soldier who was held hostage in horrific conditions. The fifth was a spy who printed his own currency and would eventually emerge as an author at the age of ninety-nine.

Nick Higham’s talk, based on his forthcoming book, tells the five men’s story and that of the little-known Battle of Baku and its legacy.

About the Speaker

Nick Higham is a writer and former journalist who spent nearly thirty years as a BBC correspondent. His history of London’s water, The Mercenary River, was published in 2022, which he also spoke to HHS members about last year.

Details

HHS Talks are free for members of the Society. The talk is also available on Zoom for members who will receive the link by email.

Non-members are welcome to attend in person (subject to there being enough space available) and are encouraged to make a donation (suggested minimum £5.00) or sign up for membership on the night.

Image credits

Speaker’s collection