Despite the many celebrated victories of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars, the role of the Royal Navy should never be overlooked.

The ''wooden walls'' formed the country''s first and most important line of defence, and ranged throughout the world to protect Britain''s trade-routes and in support of the land forces and overseas possessions.

This book covers the huge variations in uniforms not just in the Navy but the Royal Marines and Infantry regiments which served alongside naval crews. It also looks at the organisation, training and recruitment of the force and corrects a number of misconceptions regarding impressment and training.