PART III.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATES
AT WATERLOO WHO SUBSEQUENTLY
RECEIVED COMMISSIONS.
1ST LIFE GUARDS.
Corporal-Major Robert Falconer.
Appointed quartermaster same regt. 2nd Sept., 1836. H. p. 1847. D. Apr.,
1849.
2ND LIFE GUARDS.
John Ellington.
Appointed quartermaster 19th June, 1815.
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ROYAL HORSE GUARDS.
Corporal-Major Andrew Heartley.
Served in the Pa. Appointed quartermaster 12th Dec., 1822. H. p. 1831.
D. Feb. 1861 as a Military Knight of Windsor.
Carter Fairbrother.
Appointed quartermaster 7th Nov., 1829. D. Feb., 1852.
John Frost.
Appointed quartermaster 31st May, 1828. D. Apr., 1852.
Wm. Emmett.
Appointed quartermaster 25th Sept., 1828. H. p. 1831.
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1ST DRAGOON GUARDS.
Sergt.-Major Richard Hollis.
Appointed adjt. to above regt, 8th July, 1836. Lieut. 12th Jan., 1838.
Lieut, Rl. Canadian Rifles 24th Oct., 1845. D. in Canada as a retd.
capt. in 1856.
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1ST DRAGOONS.
Corporal Francis Stiles.
This brave soldier was promoted sergt. in the 1st Dns., and aftds.
Ensign in the 6th West India Regt. (commission dated 11th April, 1816),
for the gallantry he displayed at Waterloo, in helping Capt. Clark of
the same regt. to capture the Eagle of the 105th French Regt. The
following letter, copied from the original in the United Service Museum,
throws additional light on the above exploit:—
IPSWICH BARRACKS, _31st Jan., 1816_.
SIR,—This day Col. Clifton sent for me about the taking the Eagle and
colours. He asked me if I had any person that see me take the Eagle; I
told him that you see me, I believe, as the officer of the French was
making away with it. I belonged to your troop at that time, and you gave
me orders to charge him, which I did, and took it from him. When I
stated it to him this day he wants to know the particulars about it, and
me to rite to you for you to state to him how it was. I would thank you
to rite to the Colonel, as you was the nearest officer to me that day.
Sir, by so doing you will much oblige,—Your most obedient humble
servant,
FRANCIS STILES,
_Sergt. 1st Royal Drag._
To Lt. Gunning, 1st Dragoons,
Cheltenham, Glostershire.
Ensign Stiles was placed on h. p., 28th Dec., 1817, and d. in London,
9th Jan., 1828.
John Smith.
Appointed cornet and adjt. 26th Oct., 1815. Left the regt. in 1829.
John Partridge.
Appointed quartermaster in above regt. 18th July, 1834. H. p. 1849. Hon.
capt. 1 t July, 1859. D. in Aug., 1863.
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2ND DRAGOONS.
[1] Sergt.-Maj. Wm. Crawford.
[2] Sergt. Charles Ewart.
Footnote 1:
Promoted cornet and adjt. same regt., 17th Aug., 1815. Lt. 25th June,
1819. Paymaster, 24th March, 1829. Held this appointment for 20 years.
H. p. 1849. Living in 1855.
Footnote 2:
Captured the Eagle of the 45th French Regt. at Waterloo. This daring
act won the admiration of the whole British Army. Ewart was rewarded
with an ensigncy in the 5th Royal Veteran Battalion, 22nd Feb., 1816,
and on the reduction of this regt. in 1821 he recd. a retiring pens.
of 5_s._ 10_d._ per day. He was a native of Kilmarnock. D. at
Davyhulme, near Manchester, 17th March, 1846. The _Edinburgh
Advertiser_ for 21st June, 1816, has the following:—
“Extract of a letter from Sergt. Ewart, of the Scots Greys, dated
Rouen, 16th Aug., 1815:—
“The enemy began forming their line of battle about nine in the
morning of the 18th. They came down to the left, where they were
received by our brave Highlanders. No men could ever behave better;
our brigade of cavalry covered them. Owing to a column of foreign
troops giving way, our brigade was forced to advance to the support of
our brave fellows, and which we certainly did in style; we charged
through two of their columns, each about 500. It was in the first
charge I took the Eagle from the enemy; he and I had a hard contest
for it; he thrust for my groin—I parried it off, and I cut him through
the head; after which I was attacked by one of their Lancers, who
threw his lance at me, but missed the mark by my throwing it off with
my sword by my right side; then I cut him from the chin upwards, which
cut went through his teeth. Next I was attacked by a foot soldier,
who, after firing at me, charged me with his bayonet; but he very soon
lost the combat, for I parried it, and cut him down through the head;
so that finished the contest for the Eagle. After which I presumed to
follow my comrades, Eagle and all, but was stopped by the General
saying to me, ‘You brave fellow, take that to the rear; you have done
enough until you get quit of it,’ which I was obliged to do, but with
great reluctance. I retired to a height, and stood there for upwards
of an hour, which gave me a general view of the field, but I cannot
express the sight I beheld; the bodies of my brave comrades were lying
so thick upon the field that it was scarcely possible to pass, and
horses innumerable. I took the Eagle into Brussels, amidst the
acclamation of thousands of the spectators that saw it.”
On 18th June, 1816, Ensign Ewart, and other Waterloo officers, were
entertained at a public banquet in Edinburgh. “Nearly 400 noblemen and
gentlemen sat down to an elegant dinner in the Assembly Rooms, the Rt.
Hon. Wm. Arbuthnot, Lord Provost of the city, in the chair. After
several toasts had been given and duly honoured, Sir Walter (then Mr.)
Scott proposed a bumper to the health of Ensign Ewart, late of the
Scots Greys, whose bravery was conspicuous where he took a French
Eagle, and killed with his own hand three of Napoleon’s guard. The
toast was drank with great acclamation, and a general expectation
prevailed that Ensign Ewart, who was present, would address the
company. After a short pause, the Lord Provost rose, and, at the
request of Mr. Ewart, stated how much he felt honoured by this mark of
the company’s approbation, but that he would much rather fight the
battle over again and take another Eagle, than make a speech.”
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6TH DRAGOONS.
F. McDowell.
Appointed quartermaster 10th Dec., 1829. H. p. 1843. D. in June, 1846.
Thos. Boyd.
Appointed adjt. 19th Oct., 1815. Lieut. 18th June, 1819. Out of the
regt. in 1840.
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7TH HUSSARS.
Troop Sergt. Maj. Thos. Jeffs.
Promoted cornet and adjt. same regt., 7th March, 1816, for gallantry at
Waterloo. Lt. 4th March, 1819. H. p. unattached, 14th June, 1827. Living
1830.
Sergt.-Major Samuel Brodribb.
Appointed quartermaster 15th Jan., 1829. Quartermaster 14th Lt. Dns.
24th Apr., 1838. D. 1846.
Thos. Blackier.
Appointed quartermaster 16th Sept., 1819. H. p. 1839. D. 1841.
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10TH HUSSARS.
Fred Kinkie.
Appointed quartermaster 19th Lt. Dns. 1st July, 1824. H. p. 18th Aug.,
1825. D. in Nov., 1863.
11TH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
Sergt.-Maj. G. Butcher.
Appointed adjt. 12th Oct., 1815. Lieut. 8th Nov., 1818. Capt. 13th Nov.,
1834. Retd. 1837.
Sergt. Robt. Bambrick.
Lieut. 12th Oct., 1825. Capt. 7th D.G. 25th Feb., 1843. K. in action at
the Cape in Apr., 1846.
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12TH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
Sergt.-Maj. John Carruthers.
Promoted cornet in same regt., 26th Oct., 1815. H. p. 25th Dec., 1816.
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13TH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
Troop Sergt. Maj. Edward Wells.
Commanded Capt. Gubbins’s troop at Waterloo after all the officers had
fallen. His gallantry that day was particularly remarked. Promoted
Ensign in the 2nd West India Regt. in 1816. Lt., 25th Dec., 1823.
Exchanged to 54th Regt., and quitted the service as capt. same regt. in
1841.
Troop Sergt.-Maj. Thos. Rosser.
Appointed adjt. 24th June, 1819. Out of the regt. in 1831.
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15TH HUSSARS.
George Chettle.
Appointed quartermaster 9th Sept., 1824. Out of the above regt. in 1835.
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16TH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
Wm. Webster.
Appointed lieut. and riding master 25th Sept., 1832. Serving on f. p. in
1846.
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18TH HUSSARS.
John Collins.
Appointed quartermaster 12th June, 1817. H. p. 1821.
Sergt. James Robert Cruess.
Served in Capt. Ellis’s troop at Waterloo. Promoted Ensign 92nd Regt.
11th Jan., 1816. H. p. 37th Regt., 22nd Jan., 1816. Living 1824.
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1ST FOOT GUARDS.
Sergt. John Payne.
Afterwards Capt. J. Payne, late quartermaster of the Grenadier Guards.
Served in Sicily in 1806–7 and in Spain in 1808–9, and was present in
several actions, including Corunna. He was also at Walcheren. He served
in the campaigns of 1812 to 1815, and was present at the actions in the
Pyrenees, capture of San Sebastian, passage of the Bidassoa, Nive,
Nivelle, investment of Bayonne, Quatre Bras, and Waterloo. He was
commissioned as a quartermaster the 31st Aug., 1815, and retd. with the
rank of capt. in Dec., 1855. Living 1876. The following description of
the square of the Grenadier Guards during the afternoon of Waterloo day
is by Capt. Gronow of that regt., and is certainly worthy of
remembrance, exhibiting as it does the desperate heroism of the British
resistance:—
“During the battle our squares presented a shocking sight. Inside we
were nearly suffocated by the smoke and smell from burnt cartridges. It
was impossible to move a yard without treading upon a wounded comrade,
or upon the bodies of the dead; and the loud groans of the wounded and
dying were most appalling.
“At four o’clock our square was a perfect hospital being full of dead,
dying, and mutilated soldiers. The charges of cavalry were in appearance
very formidable, but in reality a great relief, as the artillery could
no longer fire on us; the very earth shook under the enormous mass of
men and horses. I shall never forget the strange noise our bullets made
against the breast-plates of Kellerman’s and Millhaud’s cuirassiers, six
or seven thousand in number, who attacked us with great fury. I can only
compare it, with a somewhat homely simile, to the noise of a violent
hailstorm beating against panes of glass.
“The artillery did great execution; but our musketry did not at first
seem to kill many men, though it brought down a large number of horses,
and created indescribable confusion. The horses of the first rank of
cuirassiers, in spite of all the efforts of their riders, came to a
standstill, shaking and covered with foam, at about twenty yards’
distance from our squares, and generally resisted all attempts to force
them to charge the line of serried steel. On one occasion two gallant
French officers forced their way into a gap momentarily created by the
discharge of artillery; one was killed by Stables, the other by Adair.
Nothing could be more gallant than the behaviour of those veterans, many
of whom had distinguished themselves on half the battle-fields of
Europe.
“In the midst of our terrible fire, their officers were seen as if on
parade, keeping order in their ranks, and encouraging them. Unable to
renew the charge, but unwilling to retreat, they brandished their swords
with loud cries of ‘Vive l’Empereur!’ and allowed themselves to be mowed
down by hundreds rather than yield. Our men, who shot them down, could
not help admiring the gallant bearing and heroic resignation of their
enemies.”
Sergt. Robt. Steele.
Appointed adjt. 66th Foot 23rd March, 1826. Lieut. 10th Foot 26th Sept.,
1833. H. p. 8th Nov., 1842.
Sergt.-Maj. Christopher Main.
Appointed ens. 43rd L.I. 4th Aug., 1825. H. p. 18th May, 1826.
Wm. Hanna.
Quartermaster 4th Foot 8th Jan., 1829. H. p. 27th May, 1836. D. at
Ardres en Calais 7th March, 1856.
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3RD FOOT GUARDS.
Quartermaster-Sergt. Wm. Thompson.
Appointed quartermaster 6th May, 1819. H. p. 1837. D. Sept., 1851.
Jas. Davidson.
Quartermaster 41st Foot 14th Feb., 1828. H. p. 1836.
Joseph Aston.
Quartermaster 9th Aug., 1833. D. in the Tower 23rd June, 1853. Bd.
within the Tower precincts with military honours.
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4TH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
H.N. Shipton.
Appointed ens. in above regt. 19th Nov., 1818. D., of fever, in
Barbadoes, 1823.
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14TH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Sergt. Samuel Goddard (3rd Batt.).
In the _Standard_ of 5th Jan., 1868, appeared the following obituary
notice regarding this gallant soldier:—
“DEATH OF A MILITARY KNIGHT, AT WINDSOR CASTLE.—On Sunday last Capt.
Samuel Goddard, Military Knight of Windsor, died at his residence in the
Lower Ward, Windsor Castle. This veteran and gallant officer was
formerly of the 14th or Buckinghamshire Regt. of Foot, and had seen very
lengthened service in the army, having served in the campaign of 1815,
including the battle of Waterloo and the storming of Cambray; in 1817,
in the East Indies, he was present at the siege of Hattrass, and in the
campaign of 1817–18, in the Deccan; also at the siege and storming of
Bhurtpore, in 1825–26. With the medal so well earned, he was one of the
officers receiving rewards for distinguished service; moreover, as
having originated the measure by which was accorded to meritorious
quartermasters of long service the nominal rank of captain, several of
whom, many years since, presented him with a handsome testimonial,
expressive of their obligation, and of his efficient aid.”
On Waterloo day, Sergt. Goddard was with an advanced party of
skirmishers of the 14th, and about four o’clock the reflux wave of some
French cuirassiers passed through them. They were, of course, fired at
by the 14th skirmishers, and several bit the dust. One poor wounded
Frenchman was thrown from his horse, and a comrade nobly returned and
offered the soldier the help of his stirrup. An active light infantry
man of the 14th, Whitney by name, who had shot one cuirassier, having
reloaded, was about to fire at the mounted Frenchman, who was then
rescuing his comrade, when Goddard interfered and said, “No, Whitney,
don’t fire; let him off, he is a noble fellow.” (Communicated by a
friend of Capt. Goddard.)
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23RD REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Charles Grant.
Severely wounded at Quatre Bras whilst serving in the ranks. Was
acting-quartermaster to the Grenadier Guards in Canada in 1838–39.
Appointed quartermaster to the 23rd Welsh Fusiliers 5th July, 1844.
Retd. on h. p. with rank of capt. in 1854. D., in London, 12th Dec.,
1865.
Samuel Brelsford.
Appointed 2nd lieut. and adjt. 60th Rifles 25th Aug., 1827.
Garret Moore.
Appointed quartermaster in above regt. 8th Nov., 1827. H. p. 5th July,
1844. D., Dec., 1852, at Picton, Canada.
Wm. Howe.
Appointed quartermaster 35th Foot 29th March, 1827.
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27TH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
John Kennedy.
Appointed quartermaster 22nd June, 1820. Appears with the “W.” before
his name in Army List for 1825 only.
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28TH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Private John O’Brien, W.
In one of the charges made by the 28th, at Waterloo, “a flag belonging
to the 25th French regt. was taken by Private John O’Brien, of the 8th
company, who the moment after received a severe wound, which ultimately
occasioned the loss of his leg. The trophy, however, was preserved, and
sent to Maj.-Gen. Sir James Kempt, who commanded the division, when the
regt. arrived at Paris.” Received a lieut.’s commission in the Sicilian
Regt., and subsequently in 61st Foot. Retd. f. p. Rl. Veteran Batt. in
1817.
Wm. Kerr.
Appointed ens. 7th July, 1837, and quartermaster 1st June, 1838. H. p.
1844.
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32ND REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Sergt.-Major George Oke.
Appointed adjt. 8th Dec., 1825. Lieut. 26th June, 1828.
Sergt.-Major Wm. Pepperal.
Appointed quartermaster 15th Oct., 1818. H. p. 1827. D. 1837.
Thos. Healey.
Appointed quartermaster 29th Nov., 1827. H. p. 28th June, 1844. D., at
Quebec, in Jan., 1849.
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42ND REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Sergt.-Major Finlay King.
Appointed quartermaster 31st Dec., 1818. Retd. 1840. D., in Guernsey,
1842.
Armourer-Sergt. Edwd. Paton.
Appointed quartermaster 19th June, 1840. D., at Southsea, in May, 1863.
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71ST REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Thos. Creighton.
Appointed quartermaster 19th Sept., 1827. H. p. 24th Jan., 1840. D.
July, 1853.
Bernard Grant.
Ens., 82nd Foot, 28th Dec., 1832. Quartermaster 28th Aug., 1835. D. May,
1856.
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73RD REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Maurice Shea.
Bn., in County Clare, in 1794; joined the Kerry Militia 1812, and in
1813 enlisted in 73rd Regt. and went to Holland. Served under Gen.
Graham, and was at the siege of Antwerp. Was in Capt. Kennedy’s company
at Waterloo. In 1835 joined the British Legion at Cork as quartermaster,
and was subsequently promoted lieut. Was in twenty-six engagements
during the war. Received the Order of Isabella II. for his Spanish
services. D., at Sherbrooke, Canada, in March, 1892. He was the last
Waterloo survivor known.—_Army and Navy Gazette_, 2nd April, 1892.
Sergt. George Austin.
Appointed adjt. 30th Nov., 1815. H. p. 1817.
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79TH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Sergt. Colin Macdonald.
Served throughout the Par. War with the 79th, and was twice sev. wnded.
Was again badly wounded at Waterloo. Served in Canada during the
rebellion of 1838–39. Received an ensign’s commission 30th Jan., 1835,
and appointed Town Major at Montreal. Living 1855.
Alex. Cruikshank.
Appointed quartermaster 12th Oct., 1838. H. p. 1849. Fort Major,
Edinburgh Castle, 1851.
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92ND REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Sergt.-Major Wm. Grant.
Appointed adjt. 5th Nov., 1819.
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95TH RIFLES.
(_1st Battalion._)
Fras. Feneran.
Appointed quartermaster to above regt. 1st Dec., 1823, and paymaster
95th Regt. of Foot 15th Dec., 1837. Serving as paymaster to the depôt
battalion at Parkhurst in 1860.
Sergt.-Major Robt. Fairfoot.
A Peninsular hero who had been wounded in the breach at Badajoz; had his
right fore-arm fractured by a shot on 17th June, 1815. Appointed
quartermaster to above regt. 28th Apr., 1825. D. in Sept., 1838.
Wm. Hill.
Appointed quartermaster to above batt. 25th Dec., 1826. H. p. 29th
March, 1839.
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95TH RIFLES.
(_2nd Battalion._)
Robt. Trafford.
Appointed quartermaster to above batt. 2nd June, 1837.
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95TH RIFLES.
(_3rd Battalion._)
Dugald Macfarlane.
Appointed 1st lieut. 18th July, 1815. H. p. Feb., 1816.
RESERVE FORCES.
54TH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
James Willox.
Appointed quartermaster to above regt. 27th Sept., 1827. H. p. 1846. D.
June, 1864.
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91ST REGIMENT OF FOOT.
Sergeant-Major Andrew Maclean.
Appointed quartermaster to above regt, 8th Aug., 1823. D., at Boulogne
in 1869.