The Waterloo Men

I was fascinated by your article 'Wild at Heart', about the adventures of William Drummond Stewart [March 2022 issue]. He was undoubtedly a courageous man. Indeed, at the early age of 19, he was already a recipient of the 'Waterloo Medal'. This wasn't just a badge of honour, it was also a badge of brotherhood. It was issued to all combatants who took part in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, irrespective of rank, thus making it the British Army’s first ever true campaign medal, and setting a prototype for all such awards ever since.

The survivors were widely referred to ever afterwards as the 'Waterloo Men', wearing their medal with pride throughout their lives. Often displayed on their coats in public, it proved to be a ticket to a free pint in many pubs for down at heel veterans. The names of those who were awarded the medal were recorded in the 'Waterloo Medal Roll'. It can still be inspected at the Royal Mint Museum and takes the form of a large leather-bound volume, exquisitely hand-written, with the names of the soldiers, their regiments and units. I have an ancestor whose name is so included, Gunner William Henry, of the Royal Artillery. Born in Peterculter, Aberdeenshire, and latterly a 'flaxdresser' in the mills of Dundee. Even after more than 200 years, we can still be inspired by the' Waterloo Men'. David Henry, Biggar