Napoleonic Era The find of a lifetime: Important Waterloo Medal

[Preppy Picker]

This medal turned up at a yardsale from an unrelated family who found it on the ground in a restaurant parking lot.

 

It now resides in the Household Cavalry museum in England.

 

Sergeant Styles, Corporal at the time, was a Dragoon at Waterloo when he and his commanding officer captured the French colors of the 105th Infantry Regiment during the Union Brigade charge.

 

Having vanished after Stiles’ death the medal has now been reunited with the captured French Eagle.

 

Here is the medal 

[Otter42]

Crazy story! Gotta wonder where it's been all those years.

[Ivydiv]

It's amazing it survived. Finally it is where it belongs. Great story. Dave

[Preppy Picker]

It’s been roughly 200 years since Styles passed in 1828 so who knows what happened. 
 

His name is misspelled on several documents and he is referred to as Corporal and Sergeant making it look like that there were 2 people instead of one. I found out that he was promoted to Sergeant as a result of the colors capture. He received the medal after the promotion. When contact was made with an officer of the Household Cavalry it was confirmed. It’s been an honor getting it to where it belongs.

 

 

[Preppy Picker]

The Household Cavalry museum has posted some interesting material about this medal.

[Frank Smith]

Great story!  Thanks for sharing.

[Preppy Picker]

On 12/5/2022 at 10:39 PM, Frank Smith said:

Great story!  Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Frank. There is actually a controversy as to who really captured the flag, Styles or the officer. The fact remains that Styles removed the flag from the field after the officer tried, unsuccessfully, to break off the eagle.

[Preppy Picker]

On The 21st of June, 2021 a parade was held in London on the Waterloo anniversary and Lance Corporal of Horse Carl Greenhaw wore the original medal as he represented Francis Styles.

 

 

[Navy87Guy]

The Brits seem to have a better grasp of the importance of history than Americans do… 😔

[Preppy Picker]

14 hours ago, Navy87Guy said:

The Brits seem to have a better grasp of the importance of history than Americans do… 😔

It really is amazing that the medal is so important to them that they had a public ceremony regarding its return.

[Sumserbrown]

Great topic and pictures, thanks for posting

 

[Skysoldier80]

This is an amazing story.  Thank you.

[Preppy Picker]

On 1/7/2023 at 12:51 PM, Sumserbrown said:

Great topic and pictures, thanks for posting

 

 

On 1/7/2023 at 7:19 PM, Skysoldier80 said:

This is an amazing story.  Thank you.

Thank you