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British Waterloo Medal


Kanemono

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Waterloo Medal to: Henry White / Wagon Train. The Waterloo Medal was awarded to any soldier of the British Army who took part in one or more of the following battles: Battle of Ligny, (16 June 1815) Battle of Quatre Bras (16 June 1815),and the Battle of Waterloo, (18 June 1815). The medal was issued in 1816 -17 to every soldier present at one or more of the above battles. This is the first medal issued by the British Government to all soldiers present at an action. It was also the first medal on which the recipient's name was impressed around the edge by machine. This medal has it’s original iron ring and clip. The background is piece of a First Life Guards officer’s shabrack (saddle-cloth) adopted in 1816 after Waterloo. It carries the battle honors 'Waterloo' and 'Peninsula'. The surrounding gold lace is the oak leaf pattern which is used by the regiment on belts and saddle-cloths.

 

On 18 June 1815, allied British and Prussian forces faced Napoleon's army at the Battle of Waterloo. Eight companies from the Royal Wagon Train were involved, along with four companies of the Foreign Wagon Train. During the battle, allied forces took up the defence of Hougoumont, a chateau and farm 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of Waterloo. Along with supporting the front lines, the Royal Wagon Train drove much-needed supplies through enemy lines to the desperate Third Guard defending the chateau. The Train's heroics at Hougoumont were included in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1891 play Waterloo.

Wellington's forces were outnumbered and outgunned, withstanding a barrage of attacks from French forces throughout the day. That evening, Prussian forces led by Field Marshall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher broke through Napoleon's right flank. This planned attack allowed Britain and her remaining allied forces to counter-attack, driving the French Army from the battlefield. For their service during the battle, the Royal Wagon Train received their second battle honor: "Waterloo"

 

 

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